BirdAnalyst
Species · Wyoming · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Burrowing Owl Population Trend in Wyoming

All statesBirds of prey

Burrowing Owl in Wyoming has increased: up 42% on the route-weighted index since 1976.

+42%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 →
42Routes 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 →
50YearsYears 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 WyomingNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Burrowing Owl in Wyoming. See the full index history below.

Burrowing Owl Population Forecast in Wyoming

If the recent trend holds, Burrowing Owl in Wyoming is projected to fall about 76% by 2030 — from 0.15 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.04 (95% range 0.00–0.18). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±61.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-76%Change by 2030TrendPercent 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 →
0.04Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–0.1895% 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 →
±61.8%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 Wyoming is projected to fall about 76% by 2030 — from 0.15 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.04 (95% range 0.00–0.18). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±61.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19722030
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 →
20260.040.000.18
20270.040.000.18
20280.040.000.18
20290.040.000.18
20300.040.000.18

Burrowing Owl Survey Routes in Wyoming

Routes recording Burrowing Owl in Wyoming.
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 →
Pine Tree619811981
Black Rock 2320102010
Black Rock320012001
Frannie220082008
Thunder Basin220252025
Soda Well220251987
Sussex220242006
Riverview220252017
Pathfinder219891989
Shawnee220222015
Baggs220251999
Harmony220062006
Cheyenne220032003
Midvale119751975
Natrona119881983
Patrick Draw 6120122012
Bear Creek120172017
Cumberland120081978
Mckinnon119801972
Patrick Draw119781976
Yoder120231979
Arvada120252025
Recluse119961996
Gas Hills 2120242017
Arminto120112011

Burrowing Owl Population Trend in Other States

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Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.