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Species · Louisiana · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Louisiana

All statesGrassland birds

Eastern Meadowlark in Louisiana has collapsed: down 80% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

-80%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 →
97Routes 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 →
57YearsYears 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 LouisianaNotable 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 Louisiana: down 80% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Eastern Meadowlark Population Forecast in Louisiana

If the recent trend holds, Eastern Meadowlark in Louisiana is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 7.9 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–12). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±87.6%, 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 →
0.00–1295% 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 →
±87.6%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 Louisiana is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 7.9 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–12). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±87.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672029
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 →
20251.00.0013
20260.360.0012
20270.000.0012
20280.000.0012
20290.000.0012

Eastern Meadowlark Survey Routes in Louisiana

Routes recording Eastern Meadowlark in Louisiana.
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 →
Creole8119871967
Mamou7019821967
Kaplan5320231998
Gran Chenier4819821967
Ltl Chenier 24720112010
Hackberry 24420242018
River Road4320241987
Fillmore3819891968
Esther3720241988
Ltl Chenier3220241986
Ville Platte3220191988
Forked Island 23120112010
Cypress2819871967
Maurice2820241988
Woodlawn2820212008
Vinton 22720242011
Derry2519891967
Keystone2320131967
Fort Polk2219751967
Natchitoches2019911987
Forked Island2020242008
Carlisle1919881968
Bickham1820241972
De Quincy1820211998
Port Allen1620242001

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Other States

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

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