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Species · Delaware · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Delaware

All statesGrassland birds

Eastern Meadowlark in Delaware has collapsed: down 94% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-94%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 →
13Routes 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 DelawareNotable 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 Delaware: down 94% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Eastern Meadowlark Population Forecast in Delaware

If the recent trend holds, Eastern Meadowlark in Delaware is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 0.60 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–3.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±404.8%, with 100% 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 →
0.00–3.295% 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 →
±404.8%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 Delaware is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 0.60 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–3.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±404.8%, with 100% 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 →
20250.000.003.2
20260.000.003.2
20270.000.003.2
20280.000.003.2
20290.000.003.2

Eastern Meadowlark Survey Routes in Delaware

Routes recording Eastern Meadowlark in Delaware.
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 →
Harrington320241966
Dover319871966
Frankford319981967
Mt Pleasant220161966
Wilmington220101967
Lowes Xrds219871966
Frederica120071966
Holleyville120041966
Bethany Bch119901966
Milton120031966
Blackbird120071994
Pepperbox120081998
Georgetown120151992

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Other States

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

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