Population status

Red-shouldered Hawk
(Buteo lineatus)

In Canada, the Red-shouldered Hawk population is best monitored by the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). BBS results suggest an approximately 88% increase in numbers since 1970, which represents a moderate increase. However, this assessment is considered to be of medium reliability because of the moderate precision of the BBS trend estimate. Within the Bird Conservation Regions (BCR) that host the species and for which there are reasonably reliable results (displayed below), trends vary from relatively stable in the Lower Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Plain BCR to increases elsewhere. BBS results from throughout North America suggest a large increase in the continental population. Because the Red-shouldered Hawk was persecuted and possibly affected by DDT (Farmer et al. 2008), resulting in low levels of abundance at the start of monitoring efforts, and its historical abundance remains unknown, a specific management goal relative to 1970 has not yet been set. However, with an increasing population trend, the Red-shouldered Hawk’s current population is at an acceptable level (see BBS Canada graph below).

 

Population goal and acceptable levels of variation

Species/groupGoalLower levelUpper level
Red-shouldered HawkTo be determined95th percentile of observed abundance (1970-2012)
Not applicable

Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis

Additional information on: Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis

Table 1: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime Period Table 1 - footnote 1 Annual trend Table 1 - footnote 2 Limits
LowerUpper
Canada Select to view graph of the geographic area: Canada 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20161.4-0.43.2
Boreal Hardwood Transition Select to view graph of the geographic area: Boreal Hardwood Transition 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20162.1-0.54.8
Lower Great Lakes / St. Lawrence Plain Select to view graph of the geographic area: Lower Great Lakes / St. Lawrence Plain 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20160.1-1.82.3
North America Select to view graph of the geographic area: North America 1970-2016; Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis1970-20163.12.83.4
 

Picture of logo Christmas Bird Count (CBC)

Additional information on: Christmas Bird Count (CBC)

Table 2: Population trends by geographic area
Geographic areaTime PeriodAnnual Trend Table 2 - footnote 1 Limits
LowerUpper
Canada Select to view graph of the geographic area: Canada 1970-2016; Christmas Bird Count (CBC)1970-2016-1.6-3-0.157
North America Select to view graph of the geographic area: North America 1970-2016; Christmas Bird Count (CBC)1970-20162.52.32.71
 

References