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

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in South Dakota

All statesGeneralists

Great Horned Owl in South Dakota has collapsed: down 85% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

-85%Since 1969
57Routes In State
56Years

Notable Great Horned Owl Trends in South Dakota

long arc declinecomputed index

Great Horned Owl has collapsed in South Dakota: down 85% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Great Horned Owl Population Forecast in South Dakota

If the recent trend holds, Great Horned Owl in South Dakota is projected to fall about 23% by 2028 — from 0.10 in 2023 to a central estimate of 0.08 (95% range 0.00–0.54). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±27.4%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-23%Change by 2028
0.08Projected 2028 index
0.00–0.5495% range
±27.4%Backtest error
19672028
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
20240.110.000.57
20250.100.000.56
20260.090.000.56
20270.080.000.55
20280.080.000.54

Great Horned Owl Survey Routes in South Dakota

Routes recording Great Horned Owl in South Dakota.
Geddes420211967
Howard220221970
Roswell220141968
Lane219991967
Ft Thompson220111973
Veblen219891967
Conde219831983
Badlands219831983
Lacreek220191996
Lennox120181969
Tripp120221976
White Lake119921972
Chamberlain120061968
Winner120231968
Rosebud119731967
Rockyford120232023
Volga120211968
Raymond120171984
Broadland120101977
Crow Creek119721968
Wilmot120141969
Britton120161967
Forbes120231977
Gettysburg120211996
Long Lake120191986

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Other States

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

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