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

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Delaware

All statesBirds of prey

Red-tailed Hawk in Delaware has surged: up 485% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+485%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 →
16Routes 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 →
56YearsYears 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 DelawareNotable 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 Delaware: up 485% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Red-tailed Hawk Population Forecast in Delaware

If the recent trend holds, Red-tailed Hawk in Delaware is projected to rise about 78% by 2030 — from 1.5 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.7 (95% range 1.6–3.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±32.1%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+78%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 →
2.7Projected 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 →
1.6–3.895% 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 →
±32.1%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 Delaware is projected to rise about 78% by 2030 — from 1.5 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.7 (95% range 1.6–3.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±32.1%, 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 →
20262.51.43.6
20272.61.43.7
20282.61.53.7
20292.61.53.7
20302.71.63.8

Red-tailed Hawk Survey Routes in Delaware

Routes recording Red-tailed Hawk in Delaware.
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 →
Harrington620251971
Holleyville420041966
Milton 2420172017
Frankford320121966
Milton320161972
Pepperbox320162000
Dover219871975
Lowes Xrds219911966
Millsboro220242017
Pepperbox 2220252017
Mt Pleasant120181968
Wilmington120101984
Frederica120131981
Blackbird120251994
Holleyville 2120242006
Georgetown120211992

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Other States

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

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