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Species · Illinois · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Illinois

All statesGrassland birds

Eastern Meadowlark in Illinois has fallen sharply: down 70% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-70%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 →
105Routes 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 →
59YearsYears 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 IllinoisNotable 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 fallen sharply in Illinois: down 70% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Eastern Meadowlark Population Forecast in Illinois

If the recent trend holds, Eastern Meadowlark in Illinois is projected to fall about 56% by 2030 — from 17 in 2025 to a central estimate of 7.2 (95% range 0.00–24). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±28.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-56%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 →
7.2Projected 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 →
0.00–2495% 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 →
±28.1%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 Illinois is projected to fall about 56% by 2030 — from 17 in 2025 to a central estimate of 7.2 (95% range 0.00–24). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±28.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
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 →
20269.30.0026
20278.80.0025
20288.20.0025
20297.70.0024
20307.20.0024

Eastern Meadowlark Survey Routes in Illinois

Routes recording Eastern Meadowlark in Illinois.
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 →
Melrose6919991973
Guilford4920231967
Dailey4520251967
Gulfport3820251971
Mackinaw3820251966
Chandlervill3620251971
Duncan Mills3520251993
Fairbury3320251976
Lake Galena3120212001
Buda3020231977
Camp Point3020251993
Cameron2920251966
Sterling2920232001
Bluff Spgs2820251967
Robinson2820231970
Fairland2720251967
Greenview2720251993
Concord West2720252001
Harristown2720252001
Stillwell2620251971
Williamsfld2520251971
Streator2320251972
Clayton2320252001
Pontiac2220251978
Marshall2220252001

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Other States

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

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