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

Burrowing Owl Population Trend in Nevada

All statesGeneralists

Burrowing Owl in Nevada has fallen sharply: down 68% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

-68%Since 1971TrendPercent 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 →
26Routes 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 →
37YearsYears 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 NevadaNotable 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 Nevada: down 68% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

Burrowing Owl Population Forecast in Nevada

If the recent trend holds, Burrowing Owl in Nevada is projected to fall about 52% by 2029 — from 0.18 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.09 (95% range 0.00–0.43). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±52.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-52%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 →
0.00–0.4395% 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 →
±52.8%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 Nevada is projected to fall about 52% by 2029 — from 0.18 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.09 (95% range 0.00–0.43). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±52.8%, 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 →
20250.100.000.45
20260.100.000.44
20270.100.000.44
20280.090.000.43
20290.090.000.43

Burrowing Owl Survey Routes in Nevada

Routes recording Burrowing Owl in Nevada.
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 →
Caliente420052004
Calico Spr219701968
Sand Pass220241996
Rye Patch219701970
Sutcliffe219711968
Majors Place220162005
Gardnerville220052002
Sheldon Nwr220172017
Mill City220212017
Darroughs Hot Spgs220152015
Piute Mdws120242016
Midas120211974
Dinner Sta119931993
Fish Creek120041997
Cortez120241974
Walker Can120181970
Mizpah120241991
Frenchman119751975
Toiyabe Nf120182018
Eureka119751970
Ruby Valley 2120102010
Dobbin Creek120161972
Willis120211994
Nelson120002000
Nixon120061975

Burrowing Owl Population Trend in Other States

arizonacaliforniacoloradofloridaidahokansasmontananebraskanew-mexiconorth-dakotaoklahomaoregonsouth-dakotatexasutahwashingtonwyoming

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