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

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Maryland

All statesGeneralists

Great Horned Owl in Maryland has declined: down 46% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-46%Since 1968
55Routes In State
57Years

Notable Great Horned Owl Trends in Maryland

No notable trend signals for Great Horned Owl in Maryland. See the full index history below.

Great Horned Owl Population Forecast in Maryland

If the recent trend holds, Great Horned Owl in Maryland is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.14 (95% range 0.00–0.39). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±289.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2029
0.14Projected 2029 index
0.00–0.3995% range
±289.4%Backtest error
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 index95% low95% high
20250.150.000.39
20260.150.000.39
20270.140.000.39
20280.140.000.39
20290.140.000.39

Great Horned Owl Survey Routes in Maryland

Routes recording Great Horned Owl in Maryland.
Upper Xrds719941983
Matthews520111980
Honga420211966
Piney Neck320181969
Smithsburg220042004
Warfieldsbrg220061967
La Plata219971997
Pomfret220141983
Northeast220121970
Melitota220241977
Harmony220051969
Vienna220221971
Fruitland219941983
Furnace Town220162016
Vindex119771977
Oldtown119851985
Potomac Park119951979
Williamsport120032003
Grove Neck119951992
Emmitsburg119921992
Bald Friar119941993
Olney119931992
Bachman Mill119831983
Fowblesburg120081984
Eklo119851968

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Other States

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

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