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

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Montana

All statesGeneralists

Red-tailed Hawk in Montana has surged: up 306% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+306%Since 1970
109Routes In State
56Years

Notable Red-tailed Hawk Trends in Montana

long arc increasecomputed index

Red-tailed Hawk has surged in Montana: up 306% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Red-tailed Hawk Population Forecast in Montana

If the recent trend holds, Red-tailed Hawk in Montana is projected to rise about 33% by 2029 — from 1.6 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.2 (95% range 1.5–2.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±38.1%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+33%Change by 2029
2.2Projected 2029 index
1.5–2.895% range
±38.1%Backtest error
19682029
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
20252.11.42.7
20262.11.42.7
20272.11.52.8
20282.11.52.8
20292.21.52.8

Red-tailed Hawk Survey Routes in Montana

Routes recording Red-tailed Hawk in Montana.
Red Rock1120241973
Polson1020241976
Pablo Res.1020241995
St Xavier720101984
East Glacier Park720242015
Church Hill720242017
Clyde Park720242018
Elliston620241970
St Mary520081970
Wise River520221995
St. Mary 2520242010
Willow Creek 2520241983
Savage420211980
Wolf Creek420222016
Miles City420242015
Kalispell320221975
Two Dot320241980
Ingomar320241989
Chestnut320241969
Beaverhead320241973
Whitlash320232009
Raynesford320182016
Jordan South320162016
Lindsay320242015
Philipsburg320242015

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Other States

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

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