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

Short-eared Owl Population Trend in Nebraska

All statesGeneralists

Short-eared Owl in Nebraska has surged: up 205% on the route-weighted index since 1979.

+205%Since 1979
13Routes In State
21Years

Notable Short-eared Owl Trends in Nebraska

long arc increasecomputed index

Short-eared Owl has surged in Nebraska: up 205% on the route-weighted index since 1979.

Short-eared Owl Population Forecast in Nebraska

If the recent trend holds, Short-eared Owl in Nebraska is projected to fall about 54% by 2029 — from 0.19 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.09 (95% range 0.01–0.16). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±54%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-54%Change by 2029
0.09Projected 2029 index
0.01–0.1695% range
±54%Backtest error
19692029
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
20250.080.010.15
20260.080.010.15
20270.080.010.16
20280.090.010.16
20290.090.010.16

Short-eared Owl Survey Routes in Nebraska

Routes recording Short-eared Owl in Nebraska.
Murray Lake720242024
Oglala Nat. Grass.520152000
Agate 2220242024
Kimball120041996
Gordon120052005
Liberty119761976
Crescent Lk119861982
Holbrook119961996
Berea119801980
Crawford120042004
Paxton119791969
Eagle Creek119901990
Agate119921992

Short-eared Owl Population Trend in Other States

alaskacaliforniacoloradoidahoillinoisiowakansasmarylandmichiganminnesotamontananevadanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonsouth-dakotautahwashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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