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

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Nebraska

All statesGeneralists

Great Horned Owl in Nebraska has increased: up 26% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+26%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 →
62Routes 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 →
57YearsYears 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 NebraskaNotable 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 Nebraska. See the full index history below.

Great Horned Owl Population Forecast in Nebraska

If the recent trend holds, Great Horned Owl in Nebraska is projected to fall about 17% by 2029 — from 0.40 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.33 (95% range 0.01–0.65). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±23.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-17%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 →
0.33Projected 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 →
0.01–0.6595% 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 →
±23.3%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 Nebraska is projected to fall about 17% by 2029 — from 0.40 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.33 (95% range 0.01–0.65). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±23.3%, 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 →
20250.340.010.66
20260.330.010.65
20270.330.010.65
20280.330.010.65
20290.330.010.65

Great Horned Owl Survey Routes in Nebraska

Routes recording Great Horned Owl in Nebraska.
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 →
Belvidere319991970
Bartley320241969
Hay Springs320242018
Pine Ridge320231999
Julian220051971
Kenesaw220041970
Bartlett219711968
Winside220021967
Eagle Creek220241976
Johnstown220171983
Table220231978
Gordon220162011
Ringgold220151995
Crescent Lk220171989
Sutherland220242023
Johnson120211967
Liberty119961972
Seward119891980
Kearney120231970
Sumner120161987
Holbrook120241969
Stratton120192003
Gretna119931968
Irvington119891982
Surprise120221967

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Other States

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

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