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

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Nebraska

All statesGeneralists

Red-tailed Hawk in Nebraska has surged: up 226% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+226%Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
72Routes 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 →
57YearsYears 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 NebraskaNotable 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 Nebraska: up 226% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Red-tailed Hawk Population Forecast in Nebraska

If the recent trend holds, Red-tailed Hawk in Nebraska is projected to rise about 27% by 2029 — from 2.0 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.5 (95% range 1.9–3.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±28.6%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+27%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 →
2.5Projected 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 →
1.9–3.295% 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 →
±28.6%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 Nebraska is projected to rise about 27% by 2029 — from 2.0 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.5 (95% range 1.9–3.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±28.6%, with 60% 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 →
20252.41.73.1
20262.41.83.1
20272.51.83.1
20282.51.93.2
20292.51.93.2

Red-tailed Hawk Survey Routes in Nebraska

Routes recording Red-tailed Hawk in Nebraska.
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 →
Hendley920242018
Sparta820211967
Humboldt720242018
Seward620241967
Arthur620241996
Winside 2620222005
Johnson520241970
Crawford520241980
Liberty 2520072004
Berwyn520101993
Kearney420231968
Winside420031968
Murray Lake420241989
Marsland420212018
Belvidere320241968
Holbrook320241979
Gretna320181972
Surprise320241967
Richland320231977
Dalton320241968
Kennedy320231998
Bassett320212021
Oglala Nat. Grass.320231999
Sutherland320242024
Culbertson320242018

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Other States

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

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