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

Red-tailed Hawk Population Trend in Wisconsin

All statesGeneralists

Red-tailed Hawk in Wisconsin has risen sharply: up 57% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+57%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 →
95Routes 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 →
58YearsYears 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 57% 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 44% by 2029 — from 0.77 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.65–1.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±56.1%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+44%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 →
1.1Projected 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 →
0.65–1.695% 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 →
±56.1%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 44% by 2029 — from 0.77 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.65–1.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±56.1%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
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 →
20251.10.621.5
20261.10.631.5
20271.10.641.5
20281.10.641.5
20291.10.651.6

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
Trempealeau520211967
Mukwonago 2520242005
Manitowoc420211967
Omro 2420242002
Grimms420211998
Beloit420241999
Weyerhauser320241973
Exeland320211976
Clintonville320241975
Brownsville320241974
Pt Washingtn320241967
Hebron320231967
Paris320231967
Hudson220241966
Dresser220221966
Esdaile220211966
Hatfield219981972
Stevens Pt220211978
Elderon220241966
Saxeville220211971
N Freedom220241966
Pardeeville220241967
Eden220241966
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 2026-05-22.