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

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Georgia

All statesGeneralists

Great Horned Owl in Georgia has held roughly steady: up 7% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

+7%Since 1971TrendPercent 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 →
68Routes 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 →
53YearsYears 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 GeorgiaNotable 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 Georgia. See the full index history below.

Great Horned Owl Population Forecast in Georgia

If the recent trend holds, Great Horned Owl in Georgia is projected to rise about 23% by 2029 — from 0.11 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.13 (95% range 0.00–0.38). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±123.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+23%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 →
0.13Projected 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 →
0.00–0.3895% 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 →
±123.3%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 Georgia is projected to rise about 23% by 2029 — from 0.11 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.13 (95% range 0.00–0.38). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±123.3%, 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 →
20250.140.000.38
20260.130.000.38
20270.130.000.38
20280.130.000.38
20290.130.000.38

Great Horned Owl Survey Routes in Georgia

Routes recording Great Horned Owl in Georgia.
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 →
Tazewell520231996
Doles319981976
Shiloh320232023
Okefenokee219831983
Darien220181973
Newton220211985
Macon220191991
Bowdon220041989
Headlight220242015
Barges220232012
Sunny Side220072007
Pineora220001994
Harrietts Bl120241970
Stockton120211980
Baxley119661966
Fowlstown120161971
Fitzgerald120241980
Everett City119901989
Courthouse120031972
Cuthbert120051980
Guyton119761976
Piedmont Nwr119991994
Wrightsville120142014
Hawkinsville120211987
Forsyth120231966

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Other States

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

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