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

Rough-legged Hawk Population Trend in Alaska

All statesGeneralists

Rough-legged Hawk in Alaska has surged: up 121% on the route-weighted index since 1991.

+121%Since 1991
26Routes In State
35Years

Notable Rough-legged Hawk Trends in Alaska

long arc increasecomputed index

Rough-legged Hawk has surged in Alaska: up 121% on the route-weighted index since 1991.

Rough-legged Hawk Population Forecast in Alaska

If the recent trend holds, Rough-legged Hawk in Alaska is projected to fall about 14% by 2029 — from 0.09 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.08 (95% range 0.00–0.15). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±86%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-14%Change by 2029
0.08Projected 2029 index
0.00–0.1595% range
±86%Backtest error
19872029
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
20250.080.000.15
20260.080.000.15
20270.080.000.15
20280.080.000.15
20290.080.000.15

Rough-legged Hawk Survey Routes in Alaska

Routes recording Rough-legged Hawk in Alaska.
Unalakleet River320172006
Chatanika R220082008
Happy Valley220241993
Goodnews Bay220032000
Chiniak119981990
Kuskulana120242024
Coldfoot120171998
Council120151994
Galbraith L.120131999
Hather Creek120111997
Kanuti Canyn119931993
Koyukuk Riv.119931993
Cottonwood119871987
Mud River120212015
Nome120231997
Salmon Lake120231994
Teller120241993
Delta120012001
Anvik River120231998
Gweek River119981998
Sourdough120232023
Red Dog120241995
Cold Bay120241996
Bear Creek119911991
Savage120172017

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.