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Species · Maryland · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Red-shouldered Hawk Population Trend in Maryland

All statesBirds of prey

Red-shouldered Hawk in Maryland has surged: up 879% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+879%Since 1968TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
70Routes In StateSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
59YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Red-shouldered Hawk Trends in MarylandNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

long arc increasecomputed indexTrend sourceWhether the figure is our own computed route-weighted index or an official USGS modeled estimate. The current build labels every trend as computed.Full methodology →

Red-shouldered Hawk has surged in Maryland: up 879% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Red-shouldered Hawk Population Forecast in Maryland

If the recent trend holds, Red-shouldered Hawk in Maryland is projected to rise about 31% by 2030 — from 0.87 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.71–1.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±30.4%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+31%Change by 2030TrendPercent change in the route-weighted abundance index between a smoothed baseline window and the most recent one. It tracks direction, not absolute population.Full methodology →
1.1Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.71–1.695% range95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
±30.4%Backtest errorBacktest errorTypical error when we hold out the most recent years, forecast them, and compare to what actually happened. Lower means a more trustworthy projection.Full methodology →
If the recent trend holds, Red-shouldered Hawk in Maryland is projected to rise about 31% by 2030 — from 0.87 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.71–1.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±30.4%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →95% low95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →95% high95% rangeThe 95% uncertainty band around the projection at the forecast horizon. The true value should land inside it most of the time.Full methodology →
20261.10.641.5
20271.10.661.5
20281.10.681.5
20291.10.691.5
20301.10.711.6

Red-shouldered Hawk Survey Routes in Maryland

Routes recording Red-shouldered Hawk in Maryland.
Recent countThe raw number of individuals recorded on this route in its most recent survey year. A single-route tally, not a trend.Full methodology →
Ijamsville520241990
Emmitsburg420251988
La Plata420091966
Island Creek420251991
Olney320251971
Eklo320181980
Van Bibber320111975
Broomes Isl319911969
Millington320251972
Green Ridge320241996
Furnace Town320242015
Pr Frederick320251991
Oldtown220241972
Williamsport220252000
Wolfsville220231970
Silver Spg219871971
Beltsville220121971
Largo219761976
Tall Timbers220141975
Harmony220171972
Matthews220221967
Easton220251970
Fruitland219971989
Mardela220191986
Sinepuxent219751967

Red-shouldered Hawk Population Trend in Other States

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

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.