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

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Florida

All statesGeneralists

Great Horned Owl in Florida has surged: up 77% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+77%Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
77Routes 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 →
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 Great Horned Owl Trends in FloridaNotable 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 Florida: up 77% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Great Horned Owl Population Forecast in Florida

If the recent trend holds, Great Horned Owl in Florida is projected to rise about 27% by 2029 — from 0.16 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.20 (95% range 0.05–0.35). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±48.3%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+27%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 →
0.20Projected 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 →
0.05–0.3595% 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 →
±48.3%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 Florida is projected to rise about 27% by 2029 — from 0.16 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.20 (95% range 0.05–0.35). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±48.3%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672029
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 →
20250.190.040.34
20260.200.040.35
20270.200.050.35
20280.200.050.35
20290.200.050.35

Great Horned Owl Survey Routes in Florida

Routes recording Great Horned Owl in Florida.
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 →
San Antonio320241980
Alva319931993
Blountstown220221983
Ft Gadsden219901990
Myakka Head219771971
Childs220211977
Island Grove220231997
Laurel Hill220242017
Hildreth 2220242015
Pinelands220232018
Oak Grove120111989
Mossy Head120112002
Broad Branch120112008
Miccosukee120221970
Port St Joe120111981
Covington119831977
Steinhatchee120232007
Belmont120171969
Micanopy119891977
Romeo120191994
Dale Mabry119821982
St Augustine119861980
Hilliard120231967
Mabel119931967
Scottsmoor120211986

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Other States

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

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