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

Sharp-shinned Hawk Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesGeneralists

Sharp-shinned Hawk in West Virginia has fallen sharply: down 60% on the route-weighted index since 1973.

-60%Since 1973TrendPercent 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 →
32Routes 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 →
34YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Sharp-shinned 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 declinecomputed 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 →

Sharp-shinned Hawk has fallen sharply in West Virginia: down 60% on the route-weighted index since 1973.

Sharp-shinned Hawk Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Sharp-shinned Hawk in West Virginia is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.04 (95% range 0.00–0.09). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±57.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange 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 →
0.04Projected 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 →
0.00–0.0995% 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 →
±57.7%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, Sharp-shinned Hawk in West Virginia is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.04 (95% range 0.00–0.09). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±57.7%, with 100% 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 →
20250.040.000.09
20260.040.000.09
20270.040.000.09
20280.040.000.09
20290.040.000.09

Sharp-shinned Hawk Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Sharp-shinned 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 →
Hanover219951980
Shanghai220102010
Sugar Grove220062006
Hix120232018
Smoot120132003
Pedro120191995
Stollings120062006
Bramwell120191981
Ghent119821982
Breeden120062006
Pt Pleasant120212021
Arlee119731973
Spencer120032002
Clendenin120212021
Nicut120072007
Paradise120031996
Olcott119931993
Canaan119911991
Three Forks119791979
Strange Crk120142014
Richwood119951995
Mo Of Seneca120152009
Slate120191981
Moundsville120242005
Monongah120102010

Sharp-shinned Hawk Population Trend in Other States

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

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