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

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Wisconsin

All statesBirds of prey

Red-tailed Hawk in Wisconsin has risen sharply: up 59% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+59%Since 1968TrendPercent 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 →
96Routes 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 →
59YearsYears 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 WisconsinNotable 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 risen sharply in Wisconsin: up 59% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Red-tailed Hawk Population Forecast in Wisconsin

If the recent trend holds, Red-tailed Hawk in Wisconsin is projected to rise about 61% by 2030 — from 0.67 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.62–1.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±52.1%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+61%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 →
1.1Projected 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 →
0.62–1.595% 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 →
±52.1%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 Wisconsin is projected to rise about 61% by 2030 — from 0.67 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.62–1.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±52.1%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
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 →
20261.10.601.5
20271.10.601.5
20281.10.611.5
20291.10.611.5
20301.10.621.5

Red-tailed Hawk Survey Routes in Wisconsin

Routes recording Red-tailed Hawk in Wisconsin.
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 →
Omro720011967
Eden720251966
Mukwonago 2520252005
Manitowoc420211967
Brownsville420251974
Grimms420211998
Beloit420251999
Exeland320211976
Trempealeau320251967
Clintonville320241975
Kendall320251967
Pt Washingtn320241967
Hebron320231967
Hudson220241966
Weyerhauser220251973
Esdaile220211966
Hatfield219981972
Stevens Pt220211978
Elderon220241966
Saxeville220211971
Pardeeville220251967
Fall River220251985
Rolling Pr220251966
N Andover220251967
Hazel Green220241967

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawyoming

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