BirdAnalyst
Species · West Virginia · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesGeneralists

Red-tailed Hawk in West Virginia has surged: up 448% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

+448%Since 1972
56Routes In State
51Years

Notable Red-tailed Hawk Trends in West Virginia

long arc increasecomputed index

Red-tailed Hawk has surged in West Virginia: up 448% 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 138% by 2029 — from 0.30 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.71 (95% range 0.43–0.98). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±41.8%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+138%Change by 2029
0.71Projected 2029 index
0.43–0.9895% range
±41.8%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
20250.660.390.94
20260.670.400.95
20270.690.410.96
20280.690.420.97
20290.710.430.98

Red-tailed Hawk Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Red-tailed Hawk in West Virginia.
Smoot320221980
Bramwell320221991
Pt Pleasant320231995
Spencer320231986
Paradise320231974
Three Forks320111985
Bismark320192003
Greer320221999
Hix220231996
Bemis220212017
Olcott220241976
Slate220241981
Moundsville220211972
Bebee220181974
Sleepy Creek219821982
Martinsburg220221990
Clinton220241975
Ruthbelle220242003
Pedro120241986
Stollings120172002
Ghent120231990
Hanover120191984
Clear Creek120221995
Welch120222002
Breeden120222003

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 2026-05-22.