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Species · Iowa · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Iowa

All statesGrassland birds

Eastern Meadowlark in Iowa has declined: down 27% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

-27%Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
38Routes 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 IowaNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Eastern Meadowlark in Iowa. See the full index history below.

Eastern Meadowlark Population Forecast in Iowa

If the recent trend holds, Eastern Meadowlark in Iowa is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 9.8 (95% range 0.98–19). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+0%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 →
9.8Projected 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 →
0.98–1995% 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 →
±7%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 Iowa is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 9.8 (95% range 0.98–19). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±7%, 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 →
2026101.219
202710.01.119
20289.91.119
20299.91.019
20309.80.9819

Eastern Meadowlark Survey Routes in Iowa

Routes recording Eastern Meadowlark in Iowa.
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 →
Mt Hamill4120251967
Red Rock2520251968
Exline2420251974
Bryant2420251967
Bedford2220251969
Cedar Valley2019971967
West Liberty1820251968
Williamsburg1620231967
Melrose1520251974
College Spgs 21520252005
Panther1320251967
Wales1320251969
Alice1319991967
Brooklyn1220251967
Festina1220251968
Tipton1220251993
Lafayette1220252003
Hudson1020251967
College Spgs720041969
Maquoketa720251967
Rock Valley520241985
Burchinal520251999
Neola320251968
Prairieburg320251967
Dinsdale320251968

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Other States

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

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