BirdAnalyst
Species · West Virginia · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in West Virginia

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Great Horned Owl in West Virginia has edged up: up 18% on the route-weighted index since 1982.

+18%Since 1982TrendPercent 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 →
22Routes 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 →
21YearsYears 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 West VirginiaNotable 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 West Virginia. See the full index history below.

Great Horned Owl Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Great Horned Owl in West Virginia is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 0.05 (95% range 0.00–0.11). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±53.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2030TrendPercent 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 →
0.05Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–0.1195% 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 →
±53.2%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 West Virginia is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 0.05 (95% range 0.00–0.11). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±53.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19792030
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 →
20260.050.000.11
20270.050.000.11
20280.050.000.11
20290.050.000.11
20300.050.000.11

Great Horned Owl Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Great Horned Owl in West Virginia.
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 →
Sugar Grove220152015
Mo Of Seneca219991999
Martinsburg219991996
Hix119811981
Bramwell119871987
Bowden119931993
Hanover119951995
Wymer120052004
Breeden119961994
Spencer120162016
Bismark119851985
Olcott119791979
Canaan120062006
Valley Head120251982
Lost River120162016
Shanghai120161995
Richwood120082008
Slate119991999
Washburn119881988
Moundsville119921984
Bebee119991999
Smithfield120252025

Great Horned Owl Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwisconsinwyoming

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.