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

Eastern Screech-Owl Population Trend in Illinois

All statesGeneralists

Eastern Screech-Owl in Illinois has declined: down 28% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

-28%Since 1972TrendPercent 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 →
26Routes 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 →
30YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Eastern Screech-Owl Trends in IllinoisNotable 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 Eastern Screech-Owl in Illinois. See the full index history below.

Eastern Screech-Owl Population Forecast in Illinois

If the recent trend holds, Eastern Screech-Owl in Illinois is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.01 (95% range 0.00–0.05). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±51.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange 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 →
0.01Projected 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 →
0.00–0.0595% 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 →
±51.1%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, Eastern Screech-Owl in Illinois is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.01 (95% range 0.00–0.05). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±51.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.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 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 →
20250.010.000.05
20260.010.000.05
20270.010.000.05
20280.010.000.05
20290.010.000.05

Eastern Screech-Owl Survey Routes in Illinois

Routes recording Eastern Screech-Owl in Illinois.
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 →
Holcomb519961996
Birds419921982
Essex219741972
Chandlervill219761976
Melrose219871975
Concord219781978
Geneseo119831983
Newark119761976
Minonk119781976
Fairbury119771977
Milford119781978
Bluff Spgs119811977
Belleview120241968
Pawnee119891986
Fairland119711971
Bradbury120102010
Martinsville120002000
Columbia120222022
Clayton120242011
Brnt Prairie120142014
Pulaski119911991
Belknap120181995
Karnak120122012
Eldred120101997
Yale120242024

Eastern Screech-Owl Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansascoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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