BirdAnalyst
Species · North Carolina · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Eastern Screech-Owl Population Trend in North Carolina

All statesGeneralists

Eastern Screech-Owl in North Carolina has collapsed: down 77% on the route-weighted index since 1974.

-77%Since 1974
46Routes In State
38Years

Notable Eastern Screech-Owl Trends in North Carolina

long arc declinecomputed index

Eastern Screech-Owl has collapsed in North Carolina: down 77% on the route-weighted index since 1974.

Eastern Screech-Owl Population Forecast in North Carolina

If the recent trend holds, Eastern Screech-Owl in North Carolina is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.02 (95% range 0.00–0.08). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±87.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2029
0.02Projected 2029 index
0.00–0.0895% range
±87.1%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
20250.020.000.08
20260.020.000.08
20270.020.000.08
20280.020.000.08
20290.020.000.08

Eastern Screech-Owl Survey Routes in North Carolina

Routes recording Eastern Screech-Owl in North Carolina.
Kinston220042000
Mooresville219801980
Cullowhee219741974
Montague220142006
Oteen219841984
Merrimon120081989
Myrtle Grove120112011
Wards Corner120152012
Raeford119911991
Sheep Ridge120012001
Broad Creek120082008
Arapahoe119891988
Dismal Swamp120142005
Speed120241977
Jordan120052005
Waterville120192001
Table Rock120122012
Brevard119681968
Chowan River120052005
Fontana120041978
California119921975
Arcola120221974
Youngsville119721972
Copeland120242000
Sturgills120132002

Eastern Screech-Owl Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansascoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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