BirdAnalyst
Species · West Virginia · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesBirds of prey

Red-tailed Hawk in West Virginia has surged: up 287% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

+287%Since 1972TrendPercent 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 →
57Routes 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 →
52YearsYears 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 West VirginiaNotable 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 West Virginia: up 287% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

Red-tailed Hawk Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Red-tailed Hawk in West Virginia is projected to rise about 194% by 2030 — from 0.23 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.69 (95% range 0.40–0.97). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±66.6%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+194%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 →
0.69Projected 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 →
0.40–0.9795% 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 →
±66.6%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 West Virginia is projected to rise about 194% by 2030 — from 0.23 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.69 (95% range 0.40–0.97). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±66.6%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672030
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 →
20260.650.360.94
20270.660.370.95
20280.670.380.95
20290.680.390.96
20300.690.400.97

Red-tailed Hawk Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Red-tailed Hawk in West Virginia.
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 →
Smoot320221980
Bramwell320221991
Spencer320241986
Paradise320231974
Three Forks320111985
Bismark320192003
Greer320221999
Hix220231996
Bemis220212017
Olcott220241976
Slate220241981
Bebee220251974
Sleepy Creek219821982
Martinsburg220221990
Clinton220241975
Ruthbelle220242003
Pedro120241986
Stollings120172002
Ghent120231990
Hanover120191984
Clear Creek120221995
Welch120222002
Breeden120222003
Pt Pleasant120251995
Meadland120242000

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwisconsinwyoming

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.