Species · Michigan · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Michigan

Great Horned Owl in Michigan has fallen sharply: down 62% on the route-weighted index since 1973.

-62%Since 1973
42Routes In State
46Years

Notable Great Horned Owl Trends in Michigan

long arc declinecomputed index

Great Horned Owl has fallen sharply in Michigan: down 62% on the route-weighted index since 1973.

Great Horned Owl Population Forecast in Michigan

If the recent trend holds, Great Horned Owl in Michigan is projected to stay roughly flat through 2027, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.06). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±59.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2027
0.00Projected 2027 index
0.000.0695% range
±59.8%Backtest error
19712027
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
20230.010.000.07
20240.010.000.07
20250.010.000.07
20260.000.000.07
20270.000.000.06

Great Horned Owl Survey Routes in Michigan

Routes recording Great Horned Owl in Michigan.
St Charles519781978
Bear Lake220042004
Maple Rapids219881988
Bootjack120062006
Chippewa Lk.120112011
Belding 2120072007
Gibbs City120022002
Seney Nwr120112011
Allegan Wma120161993
Almena120081995
Scottville120221976
Big Blue Lk119901990
Bravo119951995
Tahquamenon119761976
Gilchrist119911991
Skegemog Pt120031994
Nashville120001975
Coopersville120101995
Belding120021984
Galesburg119981977
Howardsville120222000
Monterey119971986
Remus119981998
Raco120161993
Pickford120131983

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Other States

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