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

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Florida

All statesGeneralists

Red-tailed Hawk in Florida has held roughly steady: down 6% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-6%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 →
107Routes 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 →
58YearsYears 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 FloridaNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Red-tailed Hawk in Florida. See the full index history below.

Red-tailed Hawk Population Forecast in Florida

If the recent trend holds, Red-tailed Hawk in Florida is projected to rise about 15% by 2029 — from 0.35 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.40 (95% range 0.16–0.64). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±45.6%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+15%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 →
0.40Projected 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 →
0.16–0.6495% 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 →
±45.6%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 Florida is projected to rise about 15% by 2029 — from 0.35 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.40 (95% range 0.16–0.64). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±45.6%, with 80% 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 →
20250.400.160.64
20260.400.160.64
20270.400.160.64
20280.400.160.64
20290.400.160.64

Red-tailed Hawk Survey Routes in Florida

Routes recording Red-tailed Hawk in Florida.
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 →
Lake Buffum620181987
Myakka Head420061966
Defuniak Spr420211988
Mt. Olive420192006
Webb420211991
Winter Gardn320181987
St Lucie320241995
Hildreth 2320222010
Broad Branch220152008
Seminole Hls220001979
Covington220181968
Dale Mabry219881969
Mabel220101967
Scottsmoor220241969
Indiantown220141971
Miller Xrds220191988
Hixtown Swmp220191988
Flemington219971992
Arbuckle220181987
Cross City220071988
Alva220171988
Bristol220231989
Myakka Head 2220172017
Vero Beach220211993
Shawano 2220112004

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Other States

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

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