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

Burrowing Owl Population Trend in Washington

All statesGeneralists

Burrowing Owl in Washington has fallen sharply: down 72% on the route-weighted index since 1976.

-72%Since 1976TrendPercent 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 →
21Routes 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 →
28YearsYears 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 WashingtonNotable 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 Washington: down 72% on the route-weighted index since 1976.

Burrowing Owl Population Forecast in Washington

If the recent trend holds, Burrowing Owl in Washington is projected to fall about 100% by 2016 — from 0.05 in 2011 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.21). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±72.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-100%Change by 2016TrendPercent 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 2016 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–0.2195% 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 →
±72.1%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 Washington is projected to fall about 100% by 2016 — from 0.05 in 2011 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.21). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±72.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19702016
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 →
20120.000.000.21
20130.000.000.21
20140.000.000.21
20150.000.000.21
20160.000.000.21

Burrowing Owl Survey Routes in Washington

Routes recording Burrowing Owl in Washington.
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 →
Harwood619971997
Connell320031970
Hanford Site219891988
Arid Land Er219891988
Brewster119831983
Selah120072007
Moses Lake120051973
Columbia Nwr119991996
Mercer120061981
Bickleton119821980
Sulphur120112011
Quincy119931981
Wilbur120052001
Ewan119911985
Othello119891981
Richland120072007
Horn Rapids120112011
Keystone120112011
Potholes119961996
Moses Coulee119971997
Mesa119971996

Burrowing Owl Population Trend in Other States

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