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

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Georgia

All statesGeneralists

Red-tailed Hawk in Georgia has surged: up 691% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+691%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 GeorgiaNotable 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 Georgia: up 691% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Red-tailed Hawk Population Forecast in Georgia

If the recent trend holds, Red-tailed Hawk in Georgia is projected to rise about 12% by 2029 — from 0.97 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.68–1.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±8.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+12%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 →
1.1Projected 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 →
0.68–1.595% 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 →
±8.8%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 Georgia is projected to rise about 12% by 2029 — from 0.97 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.68–1.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±8.8%, with 100% 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 →
20251.00.641.4
20261.00.651.4
20271.10.661.5
20281.10.671.5
20291.10.681.5

Red-tailed Hawk Survey Routes in Georgia

Routes recording Red-tailed Hawk in Georgia.
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 →
Bethany620232021
Davis Crossroads620192012
Henderson520241975
Mountain Cty520241981
Vidalia420241996
Thornton Road420182005
Good Hope420242005
Sunny Side420192006
Darien320171966
Lincolnton320171970
Fairplay319911975
Jacksonboro320241981
Needmore319801977
Pineora 2320242024
Barges320222016
Pleasant Hill320242014
Piedmont Nwr320021991
Fowlstown220141968
Lyons219901971
Wrightsville220231979
Maxeys220241983
Cotton220231975
Cartersville220241977
Doles220221975
Grovetown220171979

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Other States

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

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