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

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Kentucky

All statesGeneralists

Red-tailed Hawk in Kentucky has surged: up 361% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+361%Since 1968
64Routes In State
58Years

Notable Red-tailed Hawk Trends in Kentucky

long arc increasecomputed index

Red-tailed Hawk has surged in Kentucky: up 361% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Red-tailed Hawk Population Forecast in Kentucky

If the recent trend holds, Red-tailed Hawk in Kentucky is projected to rise about 49% by 2029 — from 1.0 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.5 (95% range 0.99–2.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±22.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+49%Change by 2029
1.5Projected 2029 index
0.99–2.095% range
±22.1%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
20251.40.921.9
20261.40.941.9
20271.50.952.0
20281.50.972.0
20291.50.992.0

Red-tailed Hawk Survey Routes in Kentucky

Routes recording Red-tailed Hawk in Kentucky.
Keysburg420241968
Canton320241969
Sulphur Lick320241988
Kings Mtn320241972
Merrimac320241971
Gatewood320181967
Drakesboro320031971
Dixie320191971
Bays Fork320181999
Million 2320242008
Bardwell220011972
Pippa Passes219971995
Mckee220231968
Levee219821968
Hodgenville220031967
Kehoe 2220232006
Eastview220231975
Morganfield220232023
Apex220242006
Pleasurevill220231979
Bardwell 2220232006
Staffordsvil219961996
Beattyville 2220162012
Hodgenville 2220232010
Lebanon Junction220232001

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Other States

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

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