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

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Utah

All statesGeneralists

Great Horned Owl in Utah has declined: down 48% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-48%Since 1970TrendPercent 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 →
47Routes 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 →
42YearsYears 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 UtahNotable 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 Utah. See the full index history below.

Great Horned Owl Population Forecast in Utah

If the recent trend holds, Great Horned Owl in Utah is projected to fall about 86% by 2029 — from 0.12 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.02 (95% range 0.00–0.21). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±88.9%, 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 →
0.02Projected 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 →
0.00–0.2195% 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 →
±88.9%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 Utah is projected to fall about 86% by 2029 — from 0.12 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.02 (95% range 0.00–0.21). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±88.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682029
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 →
20250.030.000.22
20260.030.000.22
20270.020.000.22
20280.020.000.21
20290.020.000.21

Great Horned Owl Survey Routes in Utah

Routes recording Great Horned Owl in Utah.
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 →
Blanding620171995
Grouse Creek419971996
Randolph420241993
Hatch320162001
Grizzly Rdge220171993
Book Ridge220062003
Gooseberry219961996
Dixie Nf220102010
Goose Creek Mtn.220192019
Kamas220132013
Jensen220242017
Wellington 3120162013
Promontory120081970
Timpie Spg120021995
Beck119731973
Altonah119701970
Oak City120161981
Neponset Res120121995
E. Bear Lake120222016
Arches Np120062006
Red Spur Mtn.120232002
Beaver119941994
Desert View120152002
Bryce Canyon120152006
Woodruff120242015

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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