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

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Mississippi

All statesGeneralists

Red-tailed Hawk in Mississippi has surged: up 11× on the route-weighted index since 1971.

11×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 →
67Routes 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 →
55YearsYears 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 MississippiNotable 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 Mississippi: up 11× on the route-weighted index since 1971.

Red-tailed Hawk Population Forecast in Mississippi

If the recent trend holds, Red-tailed Hawk in Mississippi is projected to rise about 17% by 2029 — from 1.2 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.4 (95% range 0.89–1.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±62.4%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+17%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 →
1.4Projected 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 →
0.89–1.895% 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 →
±62.4%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 Mississippi is projected to rise about 17% by 2029 — from 1.2 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.4 (95% range 0.89–1.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±62.4%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672029
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 →
20251.30.811.7
20261.30.831.8
20271.30.851.8
20281.30.871.8
20291.40.891.8

Red-tailed Hawk Survey Routes in Mississippi

Routes recording Red-tailed Hawk in Mississippi.
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 →
Mt Carmel520161991
Dundee420221970
Trace South420102007
Benton320241997
Fayette320071985
Macon320241978
Neely320092000
Dahomey Nwr320242012
Tchula 3320241995
Moon320211996
Necaise320211983
Utica220151987
Columbia220181984
Cybur220191970
Waynesboro220081981
Trace Central220212007
Eagle Lake220242012
De Soto220192010
Okatibbee L.220002000
Tallahatchie220241997
Trace Hinds220192014
Fort Adams220121975
Tchula 2219941978
Trace Choctaw220182017
Embry220241991

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Other States

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

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