BirdAnalyst
Species · West Virginia · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Eastern Screech-Owl Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesGeneralists

Eastern Screech-Owl in West Virginia has fallen sharply: down 57% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

-57%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 →
34Routes 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 →
38YearsYears 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 West VirginiaNotable 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 West Virginia: down 57% on the route-weighted index since 1972.

Eastern Screech-Owl Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Eastern Screech-Owl in West Virginia is projected to stay roughly flat through 2028, near 0.04 (95% range 0.00–0.11). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±49.8%, 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 →
0.04Projected 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 →
0.00–0.1195% 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 →
±49.8%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, Eastern Screech-Owl in West Virginia is projected to stay roughly flat through 2028, near 0.04 (95% range 0.00–0.11). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±49.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19692028
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 →
20240.040.000.11
20250.040.000.11
20260.040.000.11
20270.040.000.11
20280.040.000.11

Eastern Screech-Owl Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Eastern Screech-Owl in West Virginia.
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 →
Nicut320142014
Ruthbelle320212021
Clear Creek219951995
Pt Pleasant219761976
Meadland220012001
Strange Crk220062006
Mcdonald220051989
Smithfield220171999
Hix120001994
Smoot120032003
Stollings120071995
Hanover119991999
Arlee119731973
Spencer120182001
Clendenin119861986
Paradise119991983
Yawkey119691969
Olcott119931970
Bismark120022002
Lost River120232006
Cedarville120021987
Green Bank120222022
Dailey119781978
Slate120222022
Washburn120021980

Eastern Screech-Owl Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansascoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawisconsinwyoming

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