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

Burrowing Owl Population Trend in Florida

All statesGeneralists

Burrowing Owl in Florida has collapsed: down 97% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-97%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 →
18Routes 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 →
54YearsYears 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 FloridaNotable 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 Florida: down 97% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Burrowing Owl Population Forecast in Florida

If the recent trend holds, Burrowing Owl in Florida is projected to fall about 100% by 2026 — from 0.06 in 2021 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.48). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±961.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-100%Change by 2026TrendPercent 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 2026 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–0.4895% 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 →
±961.8%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 Florida is projected to fall about 100% by 2026 — from 0.06 in 2021 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.48). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±961.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662026
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 →
20220.000.000.48
20230.000.000.48
20240.000.000.48
20250.000.000.48
20260.000.000.48

Burrowing Owl Survey Routes in Florida

Routes recording Burrowing Owl in Florida.
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 →
Broward2919731966
Boca Raton519901968
Salvista419681967
Punta Gorda420151981
Romeo420131969
Pennywash Cr220211987
Davie219941987
Lake Buffum120211987
Clewiston120192018
Shawano 2120072006
Devils Gardn119991995
Palmdale120101990
San Antonio119811967
Mabel119681968
Hixtown Swmp120162016
Sunniland Gr120211967
Ft Lonesome120051971
Alturas119861986

Burrowing Owl Population Trend in Other States

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