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

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Indiana

All statesBirds of prey

Red-tailed Hawk in Indiana has surged: up 307% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+307%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 →
68Routes 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 →
59YearsYears 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 IndianaNotable 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 Indiana: up 307% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Red-tailed Hawk Population Forecast in Indiana

If the recent trend holds, Red-tailed Hawk in Indiana is projected to rise about 21% by 2030 — from 1.7 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.0 (95% range 1.3–2.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±11.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+21%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 →
2.0Projected 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 →
1.3–2.795% 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 →
±11.3%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 Indiana is projected to rise about 21% by 2030 — from 1.7 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.0 (95% range 1.3–2.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±11.3%, with 100% 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 →
20261.91.22.6
20271.91.32.6
20281.91.32.6
20292.01.32.6
20302.01.32.7

Red-tailed Hawk Survey Routes in Indiana

Routes recording Red-tailed Hawk in Indiana.
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 →
Packertown920041968
Knox520251981
Columbia Cty520241981
Jamestown520251987
Sexton520241981
Washington520251991
Vevay520241967
Rensselaer520251999
Thorntown420251986
Middletown420251967
Witts Station420252000
Fowler320241966
Pimento320251983
Brazil320251966
Brookville320251968
Indian Spgs320231982
New Phila320251983
Corydon320241969
Frankfort320252000
Wallace320222000
Newberry320251999
Anderson320252004
Ellis220241966
Monticello220251982
Galveston220251983

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Other States

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

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