Species · North Dakota · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024
Burrowing Owl Population Trend in North Dakota
Burrowing Owl in North Dakota has fallen sharply: down 70% on the route-weighted index since 1969.
-70%Since 1969
31Routes In State
48Years
Notable Burrowing Owl Trends in North Dakota
long arc declinecomputed index
Burrowing Owl has fallen sharply in North Dakota: down 70% on the route-weighted index since 1969.
Burrowing Owl Population Forecast in North Dakota
If the recent trend holds, Burrowing Owl in North Dakota is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 0.07 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.25). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±62.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.
-100%Change by 2029
0.00Projected 2029 index
0.00–0.2595% range
±62.6%Backtest error
| Year | Projected index | 95% low | 95% high |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0.01 | 0.00 | 0.27 |
| 2026 | 0.01 | 0.00 | 0.26 |
| 2027 | 0.01 | 0.00 | 0.26 |
| 2028 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.25 |
| 2029 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.25 |
Burrowing Owl Survey Routes in North Dakota
| Lark | 3 | 1980 | 1969 |
| Denbigh | 2 | 1976 | 1976 |
| Wild Rose | 2 | 1998 | 1982 |
| Solen | 2 | 2024 | 2006 |
| Carson | 1 | 1991 | 1988 |
| Sydney | 1 | 1976 | 1976 |
| Lake George | 1 | 2010 | 1973 |
| Horsehead Lk | 1 | 2007 | 1980 |
| Buchanan | 1 | 2017 | 2017 |
| Lakota | 1 | 2008 | 2008 |
| Regan | 1 | 2000 | 1975 |
| Ft Yates | 1 | 1982 | 1970 |
| Dickinson | 1 | 2018 | 1974 |
| Dunn Center | 1 | 2011 | 1970 |
| Carpio | 1 | 1986 | 1971 |
| Loraine | 1 | 1988 | 1988 |
| Tobacco | 1 | 1977 | 1977 |
| Stanley | 1 | 1984 | 1967 |
| Bowman | 1 | 2005 | 1968 |
| Zap | 1 | 1992 | 1968 |
| Gorham | 1 | 1994 | 1969 |
| Roosevelt Pk | 1 | 2016 | 2016 |
| Cedar Creek | 1 | 2006 | 1978 |
| Golva | 1 | 2018 | 1979 |
| Bentley | 1 | 2014 | 1988 |
Burrowing Owl Population Trend in Other States
Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.