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Species · Montana · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Burrowing Owl Population Trend in Montana

All statesBirds of prey

Burrowing Owl in Montana has edged up: up 12% on the route-weighted index since 1978.

+12%Since 1978TrendPercent 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 →
39Routes 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 →
47YearsYears 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 MontanaNotable 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 Montana. See the full index history below.

Burrowing Owl Population Forecast in Montana

If the recent trend holds, Burrowing Owl in Montana is projected to fall about 82% by 2030 — from 0.22 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.04 (95% range 0.00–0.18). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±63.8%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-82%Change 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 →
0.04Projected 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 →
0.00–0.1895% 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 →
±63.8%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 Montana is projected to fall about 82% by 2030 — from 0.22 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.04 (95% range 0.00–0.18). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±63.8%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19752030
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 →
20260.050.000.19
20270.050.000.19
20280.040.000.18
20290.040.000.18
20300.040.000.18

Burrowing Owl Survey Routes in Montana

Routes recording Burrowing Owl in Montana.
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 →
Shawmut620252006
Harlem320181980
Glasgow319891989
Flatwillow 2220222022
Threemile Wa220182017
Roy220251989
Powderville220252003
Shelby220162016
Chinook220192019
Hay Lake119901990
Sunburst119951975
Virgelle120231979
Cleveland119901990
Oswego120231980
Redstone119921975
Willow Creek 2119871987
Great Falls120131994
Highwood120091994
Leroy120122009
Jordan119821982
Circle119781978
Savage119921990
Flatwillow119911977
Ingomar120251994
Forsyth120231980

Burrowing Owl Population Trend in Other States

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