Only two sites recorded Hook-billed Kite numbers in the last decade. The 10-year migration count trends for the Hook-billed Kite suggest stable or declining populations as signaled by the two fall count sites in Veracruz, Mexico. This is similar to recently reported twenty-year count trends suggesting stable and decreased fall counts (Gulf Region: 1 stable, 1 decrease).

The Hook-billed Kite is a Species of Least Concern with a decreasing population trend status, designated by IUCN Red List. It has recently colonized South Texas and is locally common in Venezuela, Surinam, and Guatemala, but is rare in Paraguay. New count sites in Belize may provide important information in the future.

The Cuban Hook-billed Kite is listed as Critically Endangered by CITES and the species has gone extinct in Trinidad. Declines are likely due to habitat loss, invasive species reducing food availability, and persecution by humans, especially farmers, in addition to contamination of water sources. Education and outreach efforts are being made to help reduce the human related pressures this species faces.