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

Common Poorwill Population Trend in California

All statesAerial insectivores

Common Poorwill in California has declined: down 43% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-43%Since 1970
71Routes In State
56Years

Notable Common Poorwill Trends in California

No notable trend signals for Common Poorwill in California. See the full index history below.

Common Poorwill Population Forecast in California

If the recent trend holds, Common Poorwill in California is projected to fall about 22% by 2029 — from 0.07 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.05 (95% range 0.00–0.14). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±56.3%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-22%Change by 2029
0.05Projected 2029 index
0.00–0.1495% range
±56.3%Backtest error
19682029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected index95% low95% high
20250.060.000.14
20260.050.000.14
20270.050.000.14
20280.050.000.14
20290.050.000.14

Common Poorwill Survey Routes in California

Routes recording Common Poorwill in California.
Elsinore Mtn620221971
Onyx519981968
Big Pine419991968
Mt Baldy320241972
Big Bear319831969
Elizabeth Lk219741974
Ventucopa220021975
Hullville219941970
Westville220181997
Mt Pinos 2220212005
Crowley Lake219831978
Goldstone219921992
Barstow219871968
Clear Lk Res220002000
Hough Springs220072002
Bartlett Sps220181974
Eureka Val219951990
Cleveland Nf 2220222019
Cima219951983
Lockwood Val220121972
Cuyamaca Pk220241970
Horse Creek120032003
Nubieber120181978
Green Valley120182015
Lake Cachuma119821976

Common Poorwill Population Trend in Other States

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