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

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Alabama

All statesGrassland birds

Eastern Meadowlark in Alabama has collapsed: down 80% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-80%Since 1968TrendPercent 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 →
107Routes 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 →
58YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Eastern Meadowlark Trends in AlabamaNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

long arc declinecomputed 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 →

Eastern Meadowlark has collapsed in Alabama: down 80% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Eastern Meadowlark Population Forecast in Alabama

If the recent trend holds, Eastern Meadowlark in Alabama is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 5.8 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–5.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±96.4%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-100%Change by 2029TrendPercent 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 →
0.00Projected 2029 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–5.195% 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 →
±96.4%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, Eastern Meadowlark in Alabama is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 5.8 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–5.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±96.4%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
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 →
20250.460.005.6
20260.000.005.1
20270.000.005.1
20280.000.005.1
20290.000.005.1

Eastern Meadowlark Survey Routes in Alabama

Routes recording Eastern Meadowlark in Alabama.
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 →
Dearmanville7219831966
Rock Chapel5120241995
Summitt5019811966
Dawson3819981966
Lakeview2820241999
Brooksville2420231984
Calebee2020241993
Fairview1920241990
Hillsboro1719961966
Trade1720241966
Foley1719841966
Stevenson1420241996
Mentone1320231993
Talladega1320241996
Swaim1220241966
Carter Grove1220232002
Billingsley1020221966
Whitehall1020241983
Elkmont1020241990
Vina1020231996
Harrell920241968
Childersburg919991985
Wheeler Dam920231993
St Florian820241967
Millerville820241966

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Other States

arkansasconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsin

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