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

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Louisiana

All statesGeneralists

Red-tailed Hawk in Louisiana has surged: up 678% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

+678%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 →
81Routes 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 →
54YearsYears 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 LouisianaNotable 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 Louisiana: up 678% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

Red-tailed Hawk Population Forecast in Louisiana

If the recent trend holds, Red-tailed Hawk in Louisiana is projected to rise about 26% by 2029 — from 0.73 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.92 (95% range 0.58–1.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±41.1%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+26%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 →
0.92Projected 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 →
0.58–1.395% 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 →
±41.1%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 Louisiana is projected to rise about 26% by 2029 — from 0.73 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.92 (95% range 0.58–1.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±41.1%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19692029
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 →
20250.860.521.2
20260.880.541.2
20270.890.551.2
20280.910.571.2
20290.920.581.3

Red-tailed Hawk Survey Routes in Louisiana

Routes recording Red-tailed Hawk in Louisiana.
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 →
Brousville620241999
Lafitte519781975
River Road520241987
Richard420172007
Hackberry320131974
Mer Rouge320081985
De Quincy320192006
Mount Union320241998
Forked Island320192008
Tensas Nwr320081987
Lacombe219781978
Derry219881978
Fort Polk219751975
Rayville220081969
Clay220141973
Esther220242003
Many219911991
Floyd220211990
Gonzales220111998
Norwood220242004
Flat Creek220152006
Berwick220062006
Hackberry 2220192018
Fishville 2220242019
Delhi220192016

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Other States

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

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