Species · Colorado · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024
Short-eared Owl Population Trend in Colorado
Short-eared Owl in Colorado has fallen sharply: down 69% on the route-weighted index since 1974.
-69%Since 1974
24Routes In State
24Years
Notable Short-eared Owl Trends in Colorado
long arc declinecomputed index
Short-eared Owl has fallen sharply in Colorado: down 69% on the route-weighted index since 1974.
Short-eared Owl Population Forecast in Colorado
If the recent trend holds, Short-eared Owl in Colorado is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 0.05 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.07). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±61.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.
-100%Change by 2029
0.00Projected 2029 index
0.00–0.0795% range
±61.1%Backtest error
| Year | Projected index | 95% low | 95% high |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.07 |
| 2026 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.07 |
| 2027 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.07 |
| 2028 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.07 |
| 2029 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.07 |
Short-eared Owl Survey Routes in Colorado
| Timpas | 4 | 2005 | 2005 |
| Great Divide | 3 | 2024 | 2015 |
| Fleming | 3 | 2006 | 1980 |
| Cheyenne | 3 | 2009 | 2005 |
| Pinneo | 2 | 1980 | 1980 |
| Last Chance | 2 | 1983 | 1983 |
| Maybell | 1 | 2017 | 1974 |
| Arsenal | 1 | 2005 | 1993 |
| Briggsdale | 1 | 2002 | 2002 |
| Arsenal 2 | 1 | 2024 | 2024 |
| Abarr | 1 | 1980 | 1972 |
| Moffat | 1 | 1985 | 1970 |
| Hudson | 1 | 2024 | 2024 |
| Waverly | 1 | 2015 | 2005 |
| Adams Co. | 1 | 2011 | 2000 |
| Gordon Creek | 1 | 1993 | 1993 |
| Fort Morgan | 1 | 2005 | 2005 |
| Campo | 1 | 2018 | 2000 |
| Ellicott | 1 | 2016 | 2016 |
| Karval | 1 | 2002 | 2001 |
| Stoneham | 1 | 2010 | 2002 |
| Amherst | 1 | 2014 | 1992 |
| Haswell | 1 | 2005 | 2005 |
| Neegrande | 1 | 2006 | 1998 |
Short-eared Owl Population Trend in Other States
Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.