BirdAnalyst
Species · West Virginia · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Barred Owl Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesGeneralists

Barred Owl in West Virginia has surged: up 203% on the route-weighted index since 1975.

+203%Since 1975TrendPercent 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 →
48Routes 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 →
47YearsYears 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 West VirginiaNotable 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 West Virginia: up 203% on the route-weighted index since 1975.

Barred Owl Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Barred Owl in West Virginia is projected to rise about 40% by 2029 — from 0.14 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.19 (95% range 0.06–0.32). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±27.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+40%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 →
0.19Projected 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 →
0.06–0.3295% 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 →
±27.6%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 West Virginia is projected to rise about 40% by 2029 — from 0.14 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.19 (95% range 0.06–0.32). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±27.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
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 →
20250.180.040.31
20260.180.050.32
20270.180.050.32
20280.190.050.32
20290.190.060.32

Barred Owl Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Barred Owl in West Virginia.
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 →
Wymer420141997
Green Bank420131991
Stollings320212004
Shanghai320211995
Pedro220221994
Bramwell220171991
Bemis220012001
Denmar220242000
Strange Crk220162002
Sugar Grove220132013
Greer220172017
Hix120241998
Smoot120101986
Ghent120191981
Hanover120082008
Clear Creek120231995
Glade Run119991999
Breeden120212007
Bowden120132013
Meadland120221999
Hubbardstown119931993
Glady120232015
Nicut120152012
Bismark120092008
Yawkey120132013

Barred Owl Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarkansascaliforniaconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawashingtonwisconsin

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