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

Swainson's Hawk Population Trend in Montana

All statesGeneralists

Swainson's Hawk in Montana has surged: up 644% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+644%Since 1970
77Routes In State
56Years

Notable Swainson's Hawk Trends in Montana

long arc increasecomputed index

Swainson's Hawk has surged in Montana: up 644% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Swainson's Hawk Population Forecast in Montana

If the recent trend holds, Swainson's Hawk in Montana is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 1.1 (95% range 0.47–1.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±16.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+2%Change by 2029
1.1Projected 2029 index
0.47–1.695% range
±16.4%Backtest error
19682029
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
20251.00.431.6
20261.00.441.6
20271.00.451.6
20281.00.461.6
20291.10.471.6

Swainson's Hawk Survey Routes in Montana

Routes recording Swainson's Hawk in Montana.
Circle1020211969
Whitlash1020242009
Hay Lake820221988
Redstone720241969
Harlem620211981
Westby620242015
Virgelle520241979
Cleveland520241979
Church Hill520242017
Malta420241976
St. Mary 2420232010
Shelby420242015
Sunburst320071970
Oswego320231978
Great Falls320241973
Flatwillow320061968
Webster320241980
Red Rock320231988
Glentana320242015
Wheat Basin320242017
Chuffey Spring320192016
Glasgow220241970
Roy220231988
Brusett220112001
Jordan220241982

Swainson's Hawk Population Trend in Other States

arizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoidahoillinoisiowakansaslouisianaminnesotamissourinebraskanevadanew-mexiconorth-dakotaoklahomaoregonsouth-dakotatexasutahwashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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