BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 10 · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Burrowing Owl In Northern Rockies

All regionsNorthern RockiesGeneralists

Burrowing Owl in Northern Rockies has fallen sharply: down 64% on the route-weighted index since 1976.

-64%Since 1976TrendPercent 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 →
34Routes In RegionSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
42YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable SignalsNotable 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 Burrowing Owl in Northern Rockies. See the full index history below.

Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Burrowing Owl in Northern Rockies is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.03 (95% range 0.00–0.09). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±358.5%, with 100% 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 →
0.03Projected 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 →
0.00–0.0995% 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 →
±358.5%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 in Northern Rockies is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.03 (95% range 0.00–0.09). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±358.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19722029
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 →
20250.030.000.09
20260.030.000.09
20270.030.000.09
20280.030.000.09
20290.030.000.09

Routes In Northern Rockies

Routes recording Burrowing Owl in Northern Rockies.
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 →
Neponset ResUTAH32018
Black RockWYOMING32001
Black Rock 2WYOMING32010
LayCOLORADO22006
CascadeIDAHO21977
Threemile WaMONTANA22018
FrannieWYOMING22008
PathfinderWYOMING21989
HarmonyWYOMING22006
Crane CreekIDAHO12019
LaurelMONTANA11997
BeaverheadMONTANA12012
Willow Creek 2MONTANA11987
Saleratus CrUTAH12015
E. Bear LakeUTAH12013
Crawford MtsUTAH12009
MidvaleWYOMING11975
Bear CreekWYOMING12017
CumberlandWYOMING12008
MckinnonWYOMING11980
Patrick DrawWYOMING11978
ArmintoWYOMING12011
Sand DrawWYOMING12024
BairoilWYOMING12023
ShirleyWYOMING12007

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