BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 34 · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Burrowing Owl In Sierra Madre Occidental

All regionsSierra Madre OccidentalBirds of prey

Burrowing Owl in Sierra Madre Occidental has collapsed: down 80% on the route-weighted index since 1974.

-80%Since 1974TrendPercent 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 →
7Routes 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 →
31YearsYears 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 →

long arc declinecomputed 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 collapsed in Sierra Madre Occidental: down 80% on the route-weighted index since 1974.

Burrowing Owl In Sierra Madre Occidental Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Burrowing Owl in Sierra Madre Occidental is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.42). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±232%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange 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 →
0.00Projected 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 →
0.00–0.4295% 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 →
±232%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 Sierra Madre Occidental is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.42). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±232%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19712030
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 →
20260.000.000.42
20270.000.000.42
20280.000.000.42
20290.000.000.42
20300.000.000.42

Routes In Sierra Madre Occidental

Routes recording Burrowing Owl in Sierra Madre Occidental.
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 →
San SimonARIZONA12022
PatagoniaARIZONA11998
SunizonaARIZONA11986
McnealARIZONA12023
Clay SpringARIZONA12025
RuckerARIZONA12007
Vicks PeakNEW-MEXICO11996

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.