BirdAnalyst
Species · Colorado · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Burrowing Owl Population Trend in Colorado

All statesGeneralists

Burrowing Owl in Colorado has fallen sharply: down 59% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-59%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 →
64Routes 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 →
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 Burrowing Owl Trends in ColoradoNotable 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 Colorado: down 59% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Burrowing Owl Population Forecast in Colorado

If the recent trend holds, Burrowing Owl in Colorado is projected to fall about 37% by 2029 — from 1.4 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.89 (95% range 0.00–2.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±39.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-37%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 →
0.89Projected 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 →
0.00–2.195% 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 →
±39.5%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 Colorado is projected to fall about 37% by 2029 — from 1.4 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.89 (95% range 0.00–2.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±39.5%, 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 →
20250.950.002.2
20260.930.002.1
20270.920.002.1
20280.900.002.1
20290.890.002.1

Burrowing Owl Survey Routes in Colorado

Routes recording Burrowing Owl in Colorado.
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 →
Neegrande2420241993
Last Chance 22020242017
Boyero1620171979
Haswell1620241992
Gilpin1520241970
Briggsdale1020241968
Arsenal 21020242016
Sheridan Lak1020161997
Pritchett1020241995
Kirk920231993
Edler920241992
Fleming720061968
Timpas620191995
Rush520241983
Two Buttes520151973
Edison520231989
Arsenal420151991
Lamar420241973
Prospect Valley 2420232007
Trinchera420222018
Prospect Val419991992
Doyle Bridge419971992
Pinneo320191973
Last Chance320121968
Wildhorse L320241989

Burrowing Owl Population Trend in Other States

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