BirdAnalyst
Species · West Virginia · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Red-shouldered Hawk Population Trend in West Virginia

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Red-shouldered Hawk in West Virginia has surged: up 311% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+311%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 →
60Routes 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 →
53YearsYears 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 311% 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 rise about 23% by 2030 — from 0.63 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.78 (95% range 0.37–1.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±41.5%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+23%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 →
0.78Projected 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 →
0.37–1.295% 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 →
±41.5%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 rise about 23% by 2030 — from 0.63 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.78 (95% range 0.37–1.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±41.5%, 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 →
20260.730.321.1
20270.740.331.1
20280.750.341.2
20290.760.351.2
20300.780.371.2

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
Hanover520251980
Henderson520232004
Slate420241988
Washburn420221988
Hubbardstown320231977
Nicut320242001
Denmar320251980
Rockport320252021
Hix220221993
Pedro220251994
Stollings220182018
Welch220252022
Spencer220241999
Dailey220241994
Monongah220222012
Mcdonald220222000
Berryburg219941993
Bebee220242009
Greer220222014
Ringgold220252025
Glade Run220021989
Bowden220242002
Wymer220141997
Lost River220212002

Red-shouldered Hawk Population Trend in Other States

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

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