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

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Kentucky

All statesGeneralists

Great Horned Owl in Kentucky has declined: down 26% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-26%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 →
39Routes 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 KentuckyNotable 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 Kentucky. See the full index history below.

Great Horned Owl Population Forecast in Kentucky

If the recent trend holds, Great Horned Owl in Kentucky is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.07 (95% range 0.00–0.31). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±147.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange 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 →
0.07Projected 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 →
0.00–0.3195% 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 →
±147.3%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 Kentucky is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.07 (95% range 0.00–0.31). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±147.3%, 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 →
20250.070.000.32
20260.070.000.32
20270.070.000.32
20280.070.000.32
20290.070.000.31

Great Horned Owl Survey Routes in Kentucky

Routes recording Great Horned Owl in Kentucky.
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 →
Iron Bridge219881980
Monticello220012001
Kehoe 2220082008
Hustonville220051984
Mcbrayer219871987
Sewell Shop219931993
Kehoe219921968
Cumberlnd Gp120111997
Lovelacevile119891972
Shiloh120021972
Canton120031982
Keysburg120221968
Cedar Grove120191974
Sulphur Lick120021979
Hegira119911991
Riverqueen120142014
Bardwell119991999
Dixon120142014
Pleasurevill120231991
Pippa Passes119881988
Mckee119781978
Levee119741974
Million119851985
Kings Mtn120011977
Hodgenville119921975

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Other States

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

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