BirdAnalyst
Species · Maryland · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Red-shouldered Hawk Population Trend in Maryland

All statesGeneralists

Red-shouldered Hawk in Maryland has surged: up 13× on the route-weighted index since 1968.

13×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 →
69Routes 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 →
58YearsYears 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 13× 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 stay roughly flat through 2029, near 1.1 (95% range 0.71–1.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±33.8%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-8%Change by 2029TrendPercent 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 2029 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 →
±33.8%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 stay roughly flat through 2029, near 1.1 (95% range 0.71–1.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±33.8%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.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 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 →
20251.10.641.5
20261.10.651.5
20271.10.671.5
20281.10.691.5
20291.10.711.6

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
Olney420241971
La Plata420091966
Emmitsburg320241988
Pleasant Val320221981
Eklo320181980
Van Bibber320111975
Broomes Isl319911969
Hughesville320241968
Millington320241972
Easton320211970
Cokesbury320241970
Green Ridge320241996
Furnace Town320242015
Oldtown220241972
Wolfsville220231970
Silver Spg219871971
Beltsville220121971
Largo219761976
Tall Timbers220141975
Harmony220171972
Matthews220221967
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 2026-05-22.