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

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Illinois

All statesGeneralists

Red-tailed Hawk in Illinois has surged: up 178% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+178%Since 1968
105Routes In State
58Years

Notable Red-tailed Hawk Trends in Illinois

long arc increasecomputed index

Red-tailed Hawk has surged in Illinois: up 178% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Red-tailed Hawk Population Forecast in Illinois

If the recent trend holds, Red-tailed Hawk in Illinois is projected to rise about 57% by 2029 — from 1.4 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.2 (95% range 1.5–2.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±37.1%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+57%Change by 2029
2.2Projected 2029 index
1.5–2.895% range
±37.1%Backtest error
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 index95% low95% high
20252.01.42.7
20262.11.42.7
20272.11.42.8
20282.11.52.8
20292.21.52.8

Red-tailed Hawk Survey Routes in Illinois

Routes recording Red-tailed Hawk in Illinois.
Janesville620241993
Wayne520241974
Monica520171981
Fairbury520241980
Pontiac520231995
Humboldt520241984
Dudleyville520242001
Royalton520242001
Atkinson420241966
Sheffield420241966
Mackinaw420241996
Bradbury420241986
Seneca420241993
Eldred420211993
Brownville420231993
Buda320231979
Newark320221982
Sherburnvill320231975
New Lenox320191966
Monticello320241988
Athensville320231974
Humphrey320221988
Fairland320241972
Martinsville320241972
Beaverdam Lk320231974

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Other States

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

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