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

Eastern Screech-Owl Population Trend in South Carolina

All statesGeneralists

Eastern Screech-Owl in South Carolina has fallen sharply: down 53% on the route-weighted index since 1977.

-53%Since 1977TrendPercent 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 →
17Routes 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 →
25YearsYears 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 South CarolinaNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

long arc declinecomputed indexTrend sourceWhether the figure is our own computed route-weighted index or an official USGS modeled estimate. The current build labels every trend as computed.Full methodology →

Eastern Screech-Owl has fallen sharply in South Carolina: down 53% on the route-weighted index since 1977.

Eastern Screech-Owl Population Forecast in South Carolina

If the recent trend holds, Eastern Screech-Owl in South Carolina is projected to stay roughly flat through 2028, near 0.02 (95% range 0.00–0.16). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±33%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2028TrendPercent 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 →
0.02Projected 2028 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–0.1695% 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 →
±33%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 South Carolina is projected to stay roughly flat through 2028, near 0.02 (95% range 0.00–0.16). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±33%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19702028
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 →
20240.030.000.17
20250.030.000.17
20260.030.000.16
20270.020.000.16
20280.020.000.16

Eastern Screech-Owl Survey Routes in South Carolina

Routes recording Eastern Screech-Owl in South Carolina.
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 →
Johns Isle219771977
Sandhills219981998
Wagener219931977
Rome119881985
Adams Run120011990
Coward119991970
New Holland120011981
Salem Xrd120111984
Cauthens Xrd120022002
Barton Creek120151978
Prosperity120062006
Chesnee120112011
Plum Branch120232023
Owings 2120082008
Olar120002000
Pinewood119981998
Carvers Bay120022002

Eastern Screech-Owl Population Trend in Other States

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

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