BirdAnalyst
Species · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Burrowing Owl Population Analysis

StrigidaeBirds of preyAthene cunicularia

Burrowing Owl has surged: up 82% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+82%Since 1968TrendPercent 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 →
673RoutesSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
59Years 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 Burrowing Owl

The Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) is a North American member of the Owls (Strigidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the birds of prey.

Size
5–27.5 in long (13–70 cm) — a 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 673 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 18 states, most concentrated in the Shortgrass Prairie.
Family
Strigidae · Birds of prey

Notable Burrowing 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 →

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 →

Burrowing Owl has surged in surveyed states: up 82% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Burrowing Owl Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Burrowing Owl is projected to fall about 16% by 2030 — from 0.21 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.18 (95% range 0.11–0.25). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±33.3%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-16%Change by 2030TrendPercent 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 →
0.18Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.11–0.2595% 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 →
±33.3%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, Burrowing Owl is projected to fall about 16% by 2030 — from 0.21 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.18 (95% range 0.11–0.25). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±33.3%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
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 →
20260.170.100.24
20270.170.110.24
20280.180.110.25
20290.180.110.25
20300.180.110.25

Where the Burrowing Owl Is Detected

BBS routes recording Burrowing Owl, sized by most recent count.

Burrowing Owl Population Trend by State

Burrowing 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 →
Arizona+52%197328
California-88%197064
Colorado-45%197064
Florida-97%196818
Idaho-50%197223
Kansas-17%196924
Montana+12%197839
Nebraska-28%196939
Nevada-65%197127
New Mexico-28%197058
North Dakota-63%196931
Oklahoma+972%197114
Oregon+25%197224
South Dakota+40%196942
Texas+287%196962
Utah-53%197153
Washington-72%197621
Wyoming+42%197642

Burrowing Owl Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

Burrowing 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 →
Great Basin-42%1970125
Northern Rockies-47%197635
Prairie Potholes-95%196946
Southern Rockies / Colorado Plateau-81%197062
Badlands and Prairies+102%196981
Shortgrass Prairie+69%1969129
Central Mixed Grass Prairie-20%196956
Peninsular Florida-97%196817
Coastal California-93%197035
Sonoran and Mojave Deserts+76%197038
Sierra Madre Occidental-80%19747
Chihuahuan Desert+56%197036

Burrowing Owl Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it up about 82% since 1968.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.