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

Red-shouldered Hawk Population Trend in Massachusetts

All statesGeneralists

Red-shouldered Hawk in Massachusetts has surged: up 388% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+388%Since 1969
21Routes In State
47Years

Notable Red-shouldered Hawk Trends in Massachusetts

long arc increasecomputed index

Red-shouldered Hawk has surged in Massachusetts: up 387% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Red-shouldered Hawk Population Forecast in Massachusetts

If the recent trend holds, Red-shouldered Hawk in Massachusetts is projected to fall about 31% by 2029 — from 0.53 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.37 (95% range 0.13–0.61). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±25.1%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-31%Change by 2029
0.37Projected 2029 index
0.13–0.6195% range
±25.1%Backtest error
19672029
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
20250.350.110.58
20260.350.120.59
20270.360.120.59
20280.360.130.60
20290.370.130.61

Red-shouldered Hawk Survey Routes in Massachusetts

Routes recording Red-shouldered Hawk in Massachusetts.
Chesterfield420241985
Sheffield320132013
E Dennis120102010
Marion120241973
Ware River120211993
Prattville120191998
Brockton120191986
Littleton120241978
N Oxford120192018
Mansfield120221998
E Pepperell119831983
Belchertown120241967
Warren120021976
S Barre120241994
N Orange120191969
Cummington120131968
Monterey120232023
Holden119771977
N. Andover120052002
Warren 2120232012
Cummington 2120232019

Red-shouldered Hawk Population Trend in Other States

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

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