BirdAnalyst
Species · Alabama · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Alabama

All statesBirds of prey

Red-tailed Hawk in Alabama has surged: up 260% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+260%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 →
105Routes 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-tailed Hawk Trends in AlabamaNotable 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-tailed Hawk has surged in Alabama: up 260% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Red-tailed Hawk Population Forecast in Alabama

If the recent trend holds, Red-tailed Hawk in Alabama is projected to rise about 139% by 2030 — from 0.37 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.89 (95% range 0.55–1.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±53.4%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+139%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 →
0.89Projected 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 →
0.55–1.295% 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 →
±53.4%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-tailed Hawk in Alabama is projected to rise about 139% by 2030 — from 0.37 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.89 (95% range 0.55–1.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±53.4%, with 80% 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 →
20260.840.501.2
20270.860.521.2
20280.870.531.2
20290.880.541.2
20300.890.551.2

Red-tailed Hawk Survey Routes in Alabama

Routes recording Red-tailed Hawk in Alabama.
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 →
Stevenson520241996
Greensport320241979
Grangeburg320241974
Kymulga320252000
Carter Grove320232003
Oneonta320191996
Autaugaville320241996
Trade220191967
Valhermoso Spgs220081969
Dawson219971967
Linden220101973
Sprague220241973
Wallsboro220211968
Millry220181982
Foley219841984
Epes220241982
Fairview220251989
Childersburg219991985
Carrollton220181993
Odenville220241996
Nixburg219981996
Wheeler Dam220251993
Elkmont220241991
Valhermoso Spg 2220142014
Liberty City 2220232021

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Other States

alaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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