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Species · Oklahoma · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Burrowing Owl Population Trend in Oklahoma

All statesGeneralists

Burrowing Owl in Oklahoma has surged: up 735% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

+735%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 →
13Routes 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 →
52YearsYears 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 OklahomaNotable 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 increasecomputed 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 surged in Oklahoma: up 735% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

Burrowing Owl Population Forecast in Oklahoma

If the recent trend holds, Burrowing Owl in Oklahoma is projected to fall about 61% by 2029 — from 1.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.65 (95% range 0.21–1.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±98.3%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-61%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 →
0.65Projected 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 →
0.21–1.195% 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 →
±98.3%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 Oklahoma is projected to fall about 61% by 2029 — from 1.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.65 (95% range 0.21–1.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±98.3%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19692029
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 →
20250.600.171.0
20260.610.181.1
20270.630.191.1
20280.640.201.1
20290.650.211.1

Burrowing Owl Survey Routes in Oklahoma

Routes recording Burrowing Owl in Oklahoma.
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 →
Randlett1820242004
Hooker1320241992
Felt820241969
Rosston720181975
Keyes720241992
Hollis319931993
Hardesty220241970
Reed220171969
Beaver120181989
Woodward119941994
Clear Lake120161994
Tegarden119781973
Lookout119841971

Burrowing Owl Population Trend in Other States

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