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

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Louisiana

All statesGeneralists

Great Horned Owl in Louisiana has edged up: up 24% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+24%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 →
50Routes 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 →
47YearsYears 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 LouisianaNotable 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 Louisiana. See the full index history below.

Great Horned Owl Population Forecast in Louisiana

If the recent trend holds, Great Horned Owl in Louisiana is projected to fall about 29% by 2029 — from 0.17 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.12 (95% range 0.00–0.25). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±128.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-29%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 →
0.12Projected 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 →
0.00–0.2595% 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 →
±128.7%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 Louisiana is projected to fall about 29% by 2029 — from 0.17 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.12 (95% range 0.00–0.25). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±128.7%, with 100% 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 →
20250.120.000.24
20260.120.000.24
20270.120.000.25
20280.120.000.25
20290.120.000.25

Great Horned Owl Survey Routes in Louisiana

Routes recording Great Horned Owl in Louisiana.
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 →
Fort Polk219701970
Greensburg220112010
Trout220081988
Concord220172010
Brousville220242019
Port Allen220002000
Frogmore220242000
Ltl Chenier 2220112010
Sabine Nwr 2220152014
Carlisle119881988
Freetown120001986
Gran Chenier119711970
River Road120192002
Roseland120172017
Bickham119901990
Keystone120111990
Plettenberg119921985
Fort Jessup120182018
Baton Rouge120112011
De Ridder119911982
Shaw119831983
Mayflower119701967
Derry119731973
Fishville119741972
Cypress119781969

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Other States

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

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