BirdAnalyst
Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

American Barn Owl

TytonidaeBirds of preyTyto furcata

American Barn Owl has held roughly steady: up 6% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+6%Since 1970TrendPercent 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 →
235RoutesSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
56Years SurveyedYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

About the American Barn Owl

The American Barn Owl (Tyto furcata) is a North American member of the Barn-Owls (Tytonidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the birds of prey.

Size
14–15.5 in long (35–40 cm) — a pale, nocturnal raptor (typical for the family)
Habitat
Open country, woodlands, cliffs and wetlands, hunting from the air or a high perch.
Diet
Live prey — small mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and large insects (carrion for vultures).
Range
Recorded on 235 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 27 states, most concentrated in the Coastal California.
Family
Tytonidae · Birds of prey

Notable American Barn Owl TrendsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for American Barn Owl. See the full index history below.

American Barn Owl Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, American Barn Owl is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.01 (95% range 0.00–0.01). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±164.1%, with 60% 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 →
0.01Projected 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 →
0.00–0.0195% 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 →
±164.1%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, American Barn Owl is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.01 (95% range 0.00–0.01). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±164.1%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.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 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 →
20250.010.000.01
20260.010.000.01
20270.010.000.01
20280.010.000.01
20290.010.000.01

Where the American Barn Owl Is Detected

BBS routes recording American Barn Owl, sized by most recent count.

American Barn Owl Population Trend by State

American Barn Owl population trend by state.
TrendPercent 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 →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Alabamainsufficient datan/a4
Arizona-57%19929
Arkansasinsufficient datan/a3
California-45%197264
Coloradoinsufficient datan/a8
Delawareinsufficient datan/a1
Florida-53%198715
Georgiainsufficient datan/a4
Idahoinsufficient datan/a4
Kansasinsufficient datan/a6
Kentuckyinsufficient datan/a2
Louisianainsufficient datan/a4
Marylandinsufficient datan/a4
Mississippiinsufficient datan/a2
Missouriinsufficient datan/a4
Nebraskainsufficient datan/a3
Nevadainsufficient datan/a2
New Mexicoinsufficient datan/a8
North Carolinainsufficient datan/a2
Oklahoma+57%198912
Oregon-47%198711
South Dakotainsufficient datan/a1
Tennesseeinsufficient datan/a1
Texas+46%197344
Utahinsufficient datan/a3
Washington+4%198913
Wyominginsufficient datan/a1

American Barn Owl Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

American Barn Owl population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
TrendPercent 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 →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Northern Pacific Rainforest-11%198712
Great Basin-31%198626
Shortgrass Prairie+82%199430
Central Mixed Grass Prairie-15%198919
Peninsular Florida-58%198712
Coastal California-52%197248
Sonoran and Mojave Deserts-27%198111
Sierra Madre Occidental-65%19965
Chihuahuan Desert-2%20037
Gulf Coastal Prairie-41%198412

American Barn Owl Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it up about 6% since 1970.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.