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Species · Utah · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Burrowing Owl Population Trend in Utah

All statesGeneralists

Burrowing Owl in Utah has fallen sharply: down 74% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

-74%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 →
53Routes 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 →
49YearsYears 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 UtahNotable 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 Utah: down 74% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

Burrowing Owl Population Forecast in Utah

If the recent trend holds, Burrowing Owl in Utah is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 0.15 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.79). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±71.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-100%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 →
0.00Projected 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 →
0.00–0.7995% 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 →
±71.7%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 Utah is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 0.15 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.79). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±71.7%, with 100% 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 →
20250.020.000.81
20260.010.000.80
20270.000.000.79
20280.000.000.79
20290.000.000.79

Burrowing Owl Survey Routes in Utah

Routes recording Burrowing Owl in Utah.
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 →
Grouse Creek420051982
Pine Creek420181998
Peplin Mountain420242002
Neponset Res320181996
Gilson Butte 2320172006
Arches Np320061991
Fayette320002000
Gilson Butte320031995
Grantsville320112003
Westwater320242004
Wendover219971972
Promontory220171969
Stock Res220171989
Iron Springs219861982
Aneth220081986
Kelton219941993
Leamington220152015
Tule Valley220131999
Johnson Can220181993
Fairfield220232001
Fish Springs220161991
Cane Spr Des219971997
Wellington 3120172012
Salt Springs120222001
Timpie Spg120031979

Burrowing Owl Population Trend in Other States

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