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

Burrowing Owl Population Trend in Kansas

All statesGeneralists

Burrowing Owl in Kansas has declined: down 26% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

-26%Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
24Routes 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 →
55YearsYears 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 KansasNotable 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 Kansas. See the full index history below.

Burrowing Owl Population Forecast in Kansas

If the recent trend holds, Burrowing Owl in Kansas is projected to fall about 66% by 2029 — from 0.35 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.12 (95% range 0.00–0.62). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±62.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-66%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 →
0.12Projected 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 →
0.00–0.6295% 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 →
±62.2%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 Kansas is projected to fall about 66% by 2029 — from 0.35 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.12 (95% range 0.00–0.62). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±62.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672029
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 →
20250.150.000.65
20260.140.000.65
20270.130.000.64
20280.130.000.63
20290.120.000.62

Burrowing Owl Survey Routes in Kansas

Routes recording Burrowing Owl in Kansas.
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 →
Grigston1020222004
Gove719981972
Ulysses720242008
Ruleton420081981
Wallace320221967
Ash Valley320142005
St John219711970
Albert219681968
Hays219851967
Covert219691969
Hopewell220082000
Rexford220242002
Coats119671967
Coldwater119791974
Ashland120171974
Lakin120171967
Gray120061967
Leoville120181967
Phillipsburg119851974
Logan119801969
Missler120061975
Plymell120172000
Leoti120192003
Winona120162000

Burrowing Owl Population Trend in Other States

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