BirdAnalyst
Species · West Virginia · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Red-shouldered Hawk Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesGeneralists

Red-shouldered Hawk in West Virginia has surged: up 364% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+364%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 →
59Routes 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 →
52YearsYears 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 West VirginiaNotable 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 West Virginia: up 364% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Red-shouldered Hawk Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Red-shouldered Hawk in West Virginia is projected to fall about 48% by 2029 — from 1.5 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.77 (95% range 0.36–1.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±40%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-48%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 →
0.77Projected 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 →
0.36–1.295% 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 →
±40%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 West Virginia is projected to fall about 48% by 2029 — from 1.5 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.77 (95% range 0.36–1.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±40%, 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 →
20250.720.311.1
20260.730.321.1
20270.740.341.2
20280.760.351.2
20290.770.361.2

Red-shouldered Hawk Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Red-shouldered Hawk in West Virginia.
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 →
Josephs Mill820241993
Smithfield520242015
Henderson520232004
Meadland420242000
Strange Crk420241992
Slate420241988
Washburn420221988
Pt Pleasant320231995
Hubbardstown320231977
Spencer320231999
Nicut320242001
Glady320242002
Hix220221993
Stollings220182018
Hanover220241980
Canaan220241974
Denmar220241980
Dailey220241994
Rockport220242021
Monongah220222012
Mcdonald220222000
Berryburg219941993
Bebee220242009
Greer220222014
Glade Run220021989

Red-shouldered Hawk Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansascaliforniaconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawashingtonwisconsin

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