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

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Mississippi

All statesGeneralists

Great Horned Owl in Mississippi has held roughly steady: down 8% on the route-weighted index since 1973.

-8%Since 1973TrendPercent 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 →
35Routes 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 →
39YearsYears 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 MississippiNotable 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 Mississippi. See the full index history below.

Great Horned Owl Population Forecast in Mississippi

If the recent trend holds, Great Horned Owl in Mississippi is projected to fall about 25% by 2029 — from 0.10 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.08 (95% range 0.00–0.33). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±183.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-25%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 →
0.08Projected 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 →
0.00–0.3395% 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 →
±183.5%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 Mississippi is projected to fall about 25% by 2029 — from 0.10 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.08 (95% range 0.00–0.33). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±183.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19702029
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 →
20250.090.000.34
20260.090.000.34
20270.080.000.34
20280.080.000.33
20290.080.000.33

Great Horned Owl Survey Routes in Mississippi

Routes recording Great Horned Owl in Mississippi.
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 →
Moon320152015
Beverly220002000
Benton220241978
Isola220071996
Fayette220131987
Eagle Lake220182018
Embry220091991
Lake Mary119881988
Dundee120181978
Commerce119921992
Okatibbee L.120032003
Lucien119891989
Tippo120222022
Cockrum120122012
Walthall119731973
Duck Hill119911988
Forest119721972
Tallahatchie119991997
Trace Hinds120192019
Columbia119721972
Cybur120031978
Corinth120231983
Tupelo119791970
Macon120111990
Aberdeen120221988

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Other States

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

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