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Species · Illinois · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Illinois

All statesGrassland birds

Eastern Meadowlark in Illinois has fallen sharply: down 73% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-73%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 →
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 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 73% 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 42% by 2029 — from 12 in 2024 to a central estimate of 7.2 (95% range 0.00–23). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±24.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-42%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 →
7.2Projected 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 →
0.00–2395% 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 →
±24.9%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 42% by 2029 — from 12 in 2024 to a central estimate of 7.2 (95% range 0.00–23). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±24.9%, 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 →
20259.30.0026
20268.70.0025
20278.20.0025
20287.70.0024
20297.20.0023

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
Lake Galena3120212001
Buda3020231977
Concord West3020232001
Mackinaw2920241966
Sterling2920232001
Kell2920242001
Chandlervill2820241971
Robinson2820231970
Dailey2620221967
Marshall2520242001
Pontiac2420241978
Harristown2420242001
Milford2320231966
Gulfport2120241971
Beaucoup2120241971
Streator2020241972
Atkinson1920241966
Putnam1920241967
Stillwell1920241971
Bremen1920241969
Greenview1920241993
Duncan Mills1820241993
Bradbury1720241970

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 2026-05-22.