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

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Alabama

All statesGeneralists

Great Horned Owl in Alabama has surged: up 94% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+94%Since 1968TrendPercent 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 →
65Routes 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 →
54YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Great Horned Owl Trends in AlabamaNotable 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 increasecomputed 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 →

Great Horned Owl has surged in Alabama: up 94% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Great Horned Owl Population Forecast in Alabama

If the recent trend holds, Great Horned Owl in Alabama is projected to fall about 18% by 2029 — from 0.12 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.10 (95% range 0.00–0.21). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±58.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-18%Change 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 →
0.10Projected 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 →
0.00–0.2195% 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 →
±58.1%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, Great Horned Owl in Alabama is projected to fall about 18% by 2029 — from 0.12 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.10 (95% range 0.00–0.21). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±58.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
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 →
20250.100.000.21
20260.100.000.21
20270.100.000.21
20280.100.000.21
20290.100.000.21

Great Horned Owl Survey Routes in Alabama

Routes recording Great Horned Owl in Alabama.
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 →
Mt Olive520011991
Madrid420152001
Georgetown420242000
Grangeburg320231977
Triana320042002
Sprague220061991
Newton220231990
South220051988
Escatawpa219901990
Elamville220241985
Rock Chapel220191995
Calebee220031997
St Florian120121979
Hillsboro119921978
Trade119711967
Valhermoso Spgs119701970
Dawson119931983
Millerville120092009
Sunny Eve120172017
Greensport120021969
Smyer Lake120142005
Howard119941966
Maytown119851985
Dauphin Is 2119941994
Liberty119851985

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Other States

alaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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