Species · Washington · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024
Burrowing Owl Population Trend in Washington
Burrowing Owl in Washington has fallen sharply: down 72% on the route-weighted index since 1976.
-72%Since 1976
21Routes In State
28Years
Notable Burrowing Owl Trends in Washington
long arc declinecomputed index
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 2016
0.00Projected 2016 index
0.00–0.2195% range
±72.1%Backtest error
| Year | Projected index | 95% low | 95% high |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.21 |
| 2013 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.21 |
| 2014 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.21 |
| 2015 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.21 |
| 2016 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.21 |
Burrowing Owl Survey Routes in Washington
| Harwood | 6 | 1997 | 1997 |
| Connell | 3 | 2003 | 1970 |
| Hanford Site | 2 | 1989 | 1988 |
| Arid Land Er | 2 | 1989 | 1988 |
| Brewster | 1 | 1983 | 1983 |
| Selah | 1 | 2007 | 2007 |
| Moses Lake | 1 | 2005 | 1973 |
| Columbia Nwr | 1 | 1999 | 1996 |
| Mercer | 1 | 2006 | 1981 |
| Bickleton | 1 | 1982 | 1980 |
| Sulphur | 1 | 2011 | 2011 |
| Quincy | 1 | 1993 | 1981 |
| Wilbur | 1 | 2005 | 2001 |
| Ewan | 1 | 1991 | 1985 |
| Othello | 1 | 1989 | 1981 |
| Richland | 1 | 2007 | 2007 |
| Horn Rapids | 1 | 2011 | 2011 |
| Keystone | 1 | 2011 | 2011 |
| Potholes | 1 | 1996 | 1996 |
| Moses Coulee | 1 | 1997 | 1997 |
| Mesa | 1 | 1997 | 1996 |
Burrowing Owl Population Trend in Other States
Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.