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

Barred Owl Population Trend in Connecticut

All statesGeneralists

Barred Owl in Connecticut has risen sharply: up 65% on the route-weighted index since 1979.

+65%Since 1979TrendPercent 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 →
16Routes In StateSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
27YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Barred Owl Trends in ConnecticutNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

long arc increasecomputed indexTrend sourceWhether the figure is our own computed route-weighted index or an official USGS modeled estimate. The current build labels every trend as computed.Full methodology →

Barred Owl has risen sharply in Connecticut: up 65% on the route-weighted index since 1979.

Barred Owl Population Forecast in Connecticut

If the recent trend holds, Barred Owl in Connecticut is projected to fall about 28% by 2029 — from 0.33 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.24 (95% range 0.00–0.50). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±56.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-28%Change 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 →
0.24Projected 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 →
0.00–0.5095% 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 →
±56.3%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, Barred Owl in Connecticut is projected to fall about 28% by 2029 — from 0.33 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.24 (95% range 0.00–0.50). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±56.3%, with 100% 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 →
20250.230.000.49
20260.230.000.49
20270.240.000.49
20280.240.000.49
20290.240.000.50

Barred Owl Survey Routes in Connecticut

Routes recording Barred Owl in Connecticut.
Recent countThe raw number of individuals recorded on this route in its most recent survey year. A single-route tally, not a trend.Full methodology →
Greenwich420142014
Mid Haddam320241979
Buckingham220222013
Uncasville220181980
New Hartford220182011
Warren220101977
Mystic120212001
Willimantic120161967
No Woodbury120231967
Sherman120122012
Danbury120152015
Long Hill120192005
Southington120232023
New Hartford119771977
Woodstock 2120222017
Warren 2120232013

Barred Owl Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarkansascaliforniadelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsin

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