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

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Idaho

All statesBirds of prey

Red-tailed Hawk in Idaho has surged: up 345% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

+345%Since 1971TrendPercent 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 →
64Routes 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 IdahoNotable 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 Idaho: up 345% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

Red-tailed Hawk Population Forecast in Idaho

If the recent trend holds, Red-tailed Hawk in Idaho is projected to rise about 120% by 2030 — from 1.6 in 2025 to a central estimate of 3.4 (95% range 2.4–4.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±36.8%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+120%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 →
3.4Projected 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 →
2.4–4.595% 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 →
±36.8%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 Idaho is projected to rise about 120% by 2030 — from 1.6 in 2025 to a central estimate of 3.4 (95% range 2.4–4.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±36.8%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19692030
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 →
20263.22.24.3
20273.32.24.4
20283.32.34.4
20293.42.34.5
20303.42.44.5

Red-tailed Hawk Survey Routes in Idaho

Routes recording Red-tailed Hawk in Idaho.
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 →
Cedar Hill1220241990
Dubois1120241970
Leadore920241978
Ririe720251976
Naples620241976
Blackft Res520181984
Gifford520171971
Pocatello520191992
Salmon River520251988
Mora520252018
Magic Mtn420251987
Henry419831973
Sawtooth City 2420252015
Bates420231988
Daniels Res420251989
Sawtooth Cty420141988
Pasadena Val420161987
Nezperce319921992
Blacks Creek320171975
Circular Bu320241997
Carey320251994
Hot Spring320251992
Preston320231988
Challis220251975
Springfield220181980

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Other States

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

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