BirdAnalyst
Species · South Carolina · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in South Carolina

All statesGeneralists

Great Horned Owl in South Carolina has held roughly steady: up 6% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

+6%Since 1971TrendPercent 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 →
29Routes 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 →
38YearsYears 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 South CarolinaNotable 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 South Carolina. See the full index history below.

Great Horned Owl Population Forecast in South Carolina

If the recent trend holds, Great Horned Owl in South Carolina is projected to rise about 20% by 2029 — from 0.10 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.11 (95% range 0.00–0.23). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±30.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+20%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 →
0.11Projected 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 →
0.00–0.2395% 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 →
±30.9%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 South Carolina is projected to rise about 20% by 2029 — from 0.10 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.11 (95% range 0.00–0.23). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±30.9%, 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 →
20250.120.000.23
20260.120.000.23
20270.120.000.23
20280.110.000.23
20290.110.000.23

Great Horned Owl Survey Routes in South Carolina

Routes recording Great Horned Owl in South Carolina.
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 →
Chesnee420132005
Joanna320212000
Nixville320122008
Holly Hill220221987
Coward220071977
New Holland220041979
Dillon220131998
Campobello220192012
Greenwood220171998
Dale220232011
Johns Isle119681968
Jamestown119711967
Hardeeville120101977
Foreston119971992
Wagener120101984
Bishopville119921992
Kiawah Island120112000
Owings119981998
Barton Creek119751975
Plum Branch119991979
New Ellenton120242018
Ridgeway120192019
Blacksburg120122001
Mount Pisgah119981998
Pinewood119981998

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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