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Species · Illinois · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Red-shouldered Hawk Population Trend in Illinois

All statesGeneralists

Red-shouldered Hawk in Illinois has surged: up 21× on the route-weighted index since 1969.

21×Since 1969
51Routes In State
56Years

Notable Red-shouldered Hawk Trends in Illinois

long arc increasecomputed index

Red-shouldered Hawk has surged in Illinois: up 21× on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Red-shouldered Hawk Population Forecast in Illinois

If the recent trend holds, Red-shouldered Hawk in Illinois is projected to fall about 37% by 2029 — from 0.87 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.55 (95% range 0.15–0.94). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±54.5%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-37%Change by 2029
0.55Projected 2029 index
0.15–0.9495% range
±54.5%Backtest error
19662029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected index95% low95% high
20250.510.110.90
20260.520.120.91
20270.530.130.92
20280.540.140.93
20290.550.150.94

Red-shouldered Hawk Survey Routes in Illinois

Routes recording Red-shouldered Hawk in Illinois.
Beaverdam Lk1320231970
Delwood1120241970
Mt Vernon720241990
Belknap720241983
Royalton520242008
Birds420222022
Pulaski420241970
Robinson420232021
Marshall420242013
Dudleyville420242001
York420242001
Cave In Rock420242001
Athens220162016
Clayton220232023
Pawnee220232023
Bradbury220242005
Martinsville220222022
Columbia220212021
Mascoutah Lk220241991
St Morgan220221988
Olney220241966
Bremen220241984
Kell220242022
Karnak220242006
Yale220231996

Red-shouldered Hawk Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansascaliforniaconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsin

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.