BirdAnalyst
Species · Washington · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Washington

All statesBirds of prey

Red-tailed Hawk in Washington has surged: up 188% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+188%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 →
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 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 188% 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 72% by 2030 — from 1.6 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.8 (95% range 1.8–3.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±56.6%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+72%Change by 2030TrendPercent 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 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
1.8–3.795% 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 →
±56.6%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 Washington is projected to rise about 72% by 2030 — from 1.6 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.8 (95% range 1.8–3.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±56.6%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682030
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 →
20262.61.73.6
20272.71.73.6
20282.71.73.7
20292.71.83.7
20302.81.83.7

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 →
Ewan 21020252023
Chewelah920211977
Malden820251998
Pomeroy820241992
Mesa820081994
Moses Lake720221983
Othello719911982
Columbia Nwr720221992
Twisp620241973
Reardan620241968
Asotin620251981
Keystone620251994
Walla Walla619931993
Scootney Reservoir620252009
Hanford Site619961988
Harrington520121973
Connell520151972
Ewan520191983
Lake Chelan520251988
Waitsburg520041994
Ardenvoir419851968
Mercer420221969
Hartline420241994
Omak Creek420241998
Laurier420221998

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 2026-08-14.