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

Barred Owl Population Trend in Washington

All statesGeneralists

Barred Owl in Washington has surged: up 142% on the route-weighted index since 1994.

+142%Since 1994TrendPercent 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 →
32Routes 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 →
29YearsYears 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 WashingtonNotable 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 surged in Washington: up 142% on the route-weighted index since 1994.

Barred Owl Population Forecast in Washington

If the recent trend holds, Barred Owl in Washington is projected to fall about 37% by 2029 — from 0.10 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.07 (95% range 0.02–0.11). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±71.9%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-37%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 →
0.07Projected 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 →
0.02–0.1195% 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 →
±71.9%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 Washington is projected to fall about 37% by 2029 — from 0.10 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.07 (95% range 0.02–0.11). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±71.9%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19912029
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 →
20250.060.010.11
20260.060.010.11
20270.060.020.11
20280.060.020.11
20290.070.020.11

Barred Owl Survey Routes in Washington

Routes recording Barred Owl in Washington.
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 →
Rimrock220002000
Glacier220232006
Mt St Helens220241998
Mazama220192019
L. Wenatchee220112004
Newhalem120241994
Montesand120242024
Cascade Riv119931991
Keller119911991
Deception119931993
Kamilche120192019
Vashon Is.120192003
E. Mt. Adams120132013
Cougar120232023
Kendall120212007
Leavenworth120072007
South Elma120182005
Packwood120232016
Index 2120232023
White Chuck120212021
Carlton120192019
Cedar Falls120121995
Raymond120212021
Mt Rainier120142000
Suiattle Riv120021995

Barred Owl Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarkansascaliforniaconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsin

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