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

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Washington

All statesGeneralists

Red-tailed Hawk in Washington has surged: up 201% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+201%Since 1970TrendPercent 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 →
107Routes 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 →
56YearsYears 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 WashingtonNotable 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 Washington: up 201% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Red-tailed Hawk Population Forecast in Washington

If the recent trend holds, Red-tailed Hawk in Washington is projected to rise about 27% by 2029 — from 2.2 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.8 (95% range 1.9–3.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±51.7%, 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 →
2.8Projected 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 →
1.9–3.895% 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 →
±51.7%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 Washington is projected to rise about 27% by 2029 — from 2.2 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.8 (95% range 1.9–3.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±51.7%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.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 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 →
20252.71.73.6
20262.71.83.7
20272.71.83.7
20282.81.83.7
20292.81.93.8

Red-tailed Hawk Survey Routes in Washington

Routes recording Red-tailed Hawk in Washington.
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 →
Keystone1120241994
Scootney Reservoir1020242009
Chewelah920211977
Asotin920241981
Malden820241998
Pomeroy820241992
Mesa820081994
Lake Chelan820241988
Moses Lake720221983
Othello719911982
Ewan 2720242023
Columbia Nwr720221992
Twisp620241973
Reardan620241968
Walla Walla619931993
Hanford Site619961988
Harrington520121973
Connell520151972
Ewan520191983
Waitsburg520041994
Port Angeles420241971
Ardenvoir419851968
Mercer420221969
Everett420241987
Hartline420241994

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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