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

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Washington

All statesGeneralists

Great Horned Owl in Washington has fallen sharply: down 71% on the route-weighted index since 1973.

-71%Since 1973
61Routes In State
53Years

Notable Great Horned Owl Trends in Washington

long arc declinecomputed index

Great Horned Owl has fallen sharply in Washington: down 71% on the route-weighted index since 1973.

Great Horned Owl Population Forecast in Washington

If the recent trend holds, Great Horned Owl in Washington is projected to fall about 79% by 2029 — from 0.23 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.05 (95% range 0.00–0.42). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±48.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-79%Change by 2029
0.05Projected 2029 index
0.00–0.4295% range
±48.1%Backtest error
19712029
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
20250.060.000.44
20260.060.000.43
20270.060.000.43
20280.050.000.43
20290.050.000.42

Great Horned Owl Survey Routes in Washington

Routes recording Great Horned Owl in Washington.
Ewan720121988
Warm Beach319981979
Vashon Is.320242024
Snowden319721971
Pomeroy320242009
Taholah220031997
Harrington220051972
Camas219921992
Tonasket220051985
Leavenworth220241999
Hartline220231999
Malden220121998
Mendota 3220052005
Hanford Site119931988
Twisp120171991
Brewster119981992
Keller119951972
Chewelah120141978
Arid Land Er119891989
Deception119941994
Turnbull Nwr120181993
Moses Lake120091982
Reardan120241976
Bunker Hill119751975
Cougar120191973

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Other States

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

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