BirdAnalyst
Species · New York · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in New York

All statesGeneralists

Great Horned Owl in New York has edged down: down 19% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-19%Since 1968TrendPercent 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 →
69Routes 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 →
55YearsYears 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 New YorkNotable 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 New York. See the full index history below.

Great Horned Owl Population Forecast in New York

If the recent trend holds, Great Horned Owl in New York is projected to fall about 86% by 2029 — from 0.08 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.01 (95% range 0.00–0.09). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±42%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-86%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 →
0.01Projected 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 →
0.00–0.0995% 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 →
±42%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 New York is projected to fall about 86% by 2029 — from 0.08 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.01 (95% range 0.00–0.09). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±42%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.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 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 →
20250.020.000.10
20260.010.000.10
20270.010.000.10
20280.010.000.10
20290.010.000.09

Great Horned Owl Survey Routes in New York

Routes recording Great Horned Owl in New York.
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 →
Petersburg220101976
Meridale220241972
Laurens219971975
Coventryvile219881977
Oxford219701970
Romulus219861979
Mendon219971975
Hamburg220242024
Cicero Ctr220141970
Pulaski219891977
S Vandalia220061985
Westhampton119981998
Huntington120212017
Hauppauge120012001
Bedford119671967
Somers119701970
Oxford 2119871982
Highland120061967
W Shokan119701970
Catskills119961971
Ghent120031991
Ballston Lk119701970
Medusa120101971
S Berne119791979
Platte Cove119951973

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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