Species · Nebraska · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Nebraska

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

+226%Since 1969
72Routes In State
57Years

Notable Red-tailed Hawk Trends in Nebraska

long arc increasecomputed index

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 2029
2.5Projected 2029 index
1.93.295% range
±28.6%Backtest error
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 index95% low95% high
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.
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

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