BirdAnalyst
Guild · Texas · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Grassland Birds In Texas

All statesTexas

12 species in this guild. As a group they are -44%Guild trendA mean-index aggregate across the species in this group — the structural direction of the guild, with individual-species noise smoothed out.Full methodology → since 1969.

Guild SignalsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

guild collapsecomputed indexTrend sourceWhether the figure is our own computed route-weighted index or an official USGS modeled estimate. The current build labels every trend as computed.Full methodology →

Grassland birds as a group have declined in Texas, down 44% since 1969.

Grassland Birds In Texas Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Grassland birds in Texas is projected to fall about 52% by 2030 — from 6.0 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.9 (95% range 0.00–6.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±36.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-52%Change 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 →
2.9Projected 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 →
0.00–6.295% 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 →
±36.3%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, Grassland birds in Texas is projected to fall about 52% by 2030 — from 6.0 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.9 (95% range 0.00–6.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±36.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672030
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 →
20263.50.216.9
20273.40.056.7
20283.20.006.5
20293.00.006.4
20302.90.006.2

Member Species In Texas

Grassland birds species in Texas.
TrendPercent 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 →
Loggerhead ShrikeLaniidae-81%
Eastern MeadowlarkIcteridae-80%
Botteri's SparrowPasserellidae-68%
Lark SparrowPasserellidae-65%
Cassin's SparrowPasserellidae-24%
DickcisselCardinalidae+5%
Western MeadowlarkIcteridae+20%
Horned LarkAlaudidae+83%
Upland SandpiperScolopacidae+99%
Chihuahuan MeadowlarkIcteridae+107%
Grasshopper SparrowPasserellidae+255%
Lark BuntingPasserellidae+546%

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