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Species · BCR 24 · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Great Horned Owl In Central Hardwoods

All regionsCentral HardwoodsGeneralists

Great Horned Owl in Central Hardwoods has held roughly steady: up 5% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+5%Since 1970TrendPercent 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 →
117Routes In RegionSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
56YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable SignalsNotable 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 Great Horned Owl in Central Hardwoods. See the full index history below.

Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Great Horned Owl in Central Hardwoods is projected to rise about 43% by 2029 — from 0.07 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.10 (95% range 0.00–0.27). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±76.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+43%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 →
0.00–0.2795% 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 →
±76.8%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, Great Horned Owl in Central Hardwoods is projected to rise about 43% by 2029 — from 0.07 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.10 (95% range 0.00–0.27). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±76.8%, 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 →
20250.100.000.27
20260.100.000.27
20270.100.000.27
20280.100.000.27
20290.100.000.27

Routes In Central Hardwoods

Routes recording Great Horned Owl in Central Hardwoods.
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 →
PinevilleMISSOURI42024
TrianaALABAMA32004
MillersburgINDIANA32014
New PhilaINDIANA31989
CassvilleMISSOURI32002
ClementineMISSOURI31989
Osage BeachMISSOURI32023
West PlainsMISSOURI32022
CampbellsvilleTENNESSEE32013
Union HillTENNESSEE32003
LurtonARKANSAS22002
BremenILLINOIS22012
Beaverdam LkILLINOIS21994
RoyaltonILLINOIS22023
Indian SpgsINDIANA22016
ScottsburgINDIANA21999
EvansvilleINDIANA22022
NewberryINDIANA22017
HoosierINDIANA22002
Iron BridgeKENTUCKY21988
HustonvilleKENTUCKY22005
McbrayerKENTUCKY21987
Sewell ShopKENTUCKY21993
WescoMISSOURI21992
BennettMISSOURI22009

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