BirdAnalyst
Species · BCR 9 · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Burrowing Owl In Great Basin

All regionsGreat BasinGeneralists

Burrowing Owl in Great Basin has fallen sharply: down 66% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-66%Since 1970TrendPercent 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 →
124Routes 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 →
56YearsYears 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 fallen sharply in Great Basin: down 66% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Burrowing Owl In Great Basin Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Burrowing Owl in Great Basin is projected to fall about 50% by 2029 — from 0.19 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.09 (95% range 0.00–0.31). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±97.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-50%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 →
0.09Projected 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 →
0.00–0.3195% 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 →
±97.1%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 Great Basin is projected to fall about 50% by 2029 — from 0.19 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.09 (95% range 0.00–0.31). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±97.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682029
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 →
20250.100.000.32
20260.100.000.32
20270.100.000.32
20280.100.000.31
20290.090.000.31

Routes In Great Basin

Routes recording Burrowing Owl in Great Basin.
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 →
HarwoodWASHINGTON61997
CratersIDAHO42016
CalienteNEVADA42005
Battle MtnOREGON42024
Grouse CreekUTAH42005
Peplin MountainUTAH42024
Pine CreekUTAH42018
AcequiaIDAHO32007
Cedar HillIDAHO32010
BlitzenOREGON31981
GrantsvilleUTAH32011
ConnellWASHINGTON32003
RavendaleCALIFORNIA21992
DuboisIDAHO22024
RirieIDAHO21974
TriangleIDAHO22005
PicaboIDAHO22012
CareyIDAHO21990
Mud LakeIDAHO22007
Lost RiverIDAHO22023
Tractor FlatIDAHO22024
Calico SprNEVADA21970
Sand PassNEVADA22024
Rye PatchNEVADA21970
SutcliffeNEVADA21971

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