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Species · Washington · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Western Screech-Owl Population Trend in Washington

All statesGeneralists

Western Screech-Owl in Washington has fallen sharply: down 55% on the route-weighted index since 1988.

-55%Since 1988TrendPercent 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 →
14Routes 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 →
18YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Western Screech-Owl Trends in WashingtonNotable 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 Western Screech-Owl in Washington. See the full index history below.

Western Screech-Owl Population Forecast in Washington

If the recent trend holds, Western Screech-Owl in Washington is projected to stay roughly flat through 2022, near 0.02 (95% range 0.00–0.04). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±23.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2022TrendPercent 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 →
0.02Projected 2022 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–0.0495% 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 →
±23.3%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, Western Screech-Owl in Washington is projected to stay roughly flat through 2022, near 0.02 (95% range 0.00–0.04). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±23.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19802022
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 →
20180.020.000.04
20190.020.000.04
20200.020.000.04
20210.020.000.04
20220.020.000.04

Western Screech-Owl Survey Routes in Washington

Routes recording Western Screech-Owl in Washington.
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 →
Twisp220082008
Laurier220102008
Port Angeles119961996
Warm Beach119921992
Ronald120101993
Leavenworth120112011
South Elma120012001
Kamilche119881980
Mendota 2119891989
Bunker Hill119911983
Curlew120172017
Cedar Falls120122012
Snowden119901990
Winthrop119991999

Western Screech-Owl Population Trend in Other States

arizonacaliforniacoloradoidahomontananevadanew-mexicooregontexasutahwyoming

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