Species · Alaska · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024
Short-eared Owl Population Trend in Alaska
Short-eared Owl in Alaska has fallen sharply: down 54% on the route-weighted index since 1986.
-54%Since 1986
35Routes In State
34Years
Notable Short-eared Owl Trends in Alaska
long arc declinecomputed index
Short-eared Owl has fallen sharply in Alaska: down 54% on the route-weighted index since 1986.
Short-eared Owl Population Forecast in Alaska
If the recent trend holds, Short-eared Owl in Alaska is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.07 (95% range 0.00–0.24). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±120.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.
n/aChange by 2029
0.07Projected 2029 index
0.00–0.2495% range
±120.3%Backtest error
| Year | Projected index | 95% low | 95% high |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0.07 | 0.00 | 0.24 |
| 2026 | 0.07 | 0.00 | 0.24 |
| 2027 | 0.07 | 0.00 | 0.24 |
| 2028 | 0.07 | 0.00 | 0.24 |
| 2029 | 0.07 | 0.00 | 0.24 |
Short-eared Owl Survey Routes in Alaska
| Council | 7 | 2009 | 2000 |
| Maclaren | 2 | 2005 | 1986 |
| Monahan | 2 | 1993 | 1993 |
| Happy Valley | 2 | 2012 | 1996 |
| Nome | 2 | 2022 | 1996 |
| St. Mary'S | 2 | 1998 | 1995 |
| Cordova | 2 | 2013 | 2013 |
| Sheep Mtn | 2 | 1999 | 1999 |
| Sourdough | 2 | 2017 | 2017 |
| Red Dog | 2 | 2023 | 1995 |
| Eagle | 1 | 2024 | 2024 |
| Chiniak | 1 | 1989 | 1989 |
| Nabesna Road | 1 | 1993 | 1993 |
| Toklat | 1 | 2021 | 1982 |
| Cape Nome | 1 | 2017 | 2003 |
| Caribou Mtn. | 1 | 2021 | 2005 |
| Coldfoot | 1 | 2014 | 1998 |
| Donelly Dome | 1 | 2005 | 2005 |
| Unalakleet River | 1 | 1999 | 1996 |
| Galbraith L. | 1 | 2018 | 1997 |
| Hather Creek | 1 | 2005 | 2005 |
| Kalifonsky | 1 | 2012 | 2012 |
| Moose Creek | 1 | 2016 | 2014 |
| Mt. Fairplay | 1 | 2017 | 2008 |
| Salmon Lake | 1 | 2019 | 1996 |
Short-eared Owl Population Trend in Other States
Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.