BirdAnalyst
Species · North Dakota · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Swainson's Hawk Population Trend in North Dakota

All statesGeneralists

Swainson's Hawk in North Dakota has surged: up 114% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+114%Since 1969
48Routes In State
57Years

Notable Swainson's Hawk Trends in North Dakota

long arc increasecomputed index

Swainson's Hawk has surged in North Dakota: up 114% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Swainson's Hawk Population Forecast in North Dakota

If the recent trend holds, Swainson's Hawk in North Dakota is projected to rise about 14% by 2029 — from 1.4 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.6 (95% range 0.84–2.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±25.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+14%Change by 2029
1.6Projected 2029 index
0.84–2.495% range
±25.5%Backtest error
19672029
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
20251.60.782.4
20261.60.802.4
20271.60.812.4
20281.60.832.4
20291.60.842.4

Swainson's Hawk Survey Routes in North Dakota

Routes recording Swainson's Hawk in North Dakota.
Lake George1120221969
Gorham620181968
Wild Rose520241982
Buchanan420241967
Carson420241988
Montpelier420221991
Edgeley320241980
Dickinson320241968
Stanley320241967
Glen Ullin320221986
Douglas Crk320231982
Horsehead Lk220241980
Lakota220041979
Ft Yates220041971
Tobacco220021968
Bowman220241968
Zap220241979
Cedar Creek220221971
Powers Lake220241982
Danzig 2220242019
Forman120241979
Walcott119921981
Sydney119831970
Danzig120141982
Kempton120161969

Swainson's Hawk Population Trend in Other States

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