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Species · Massachusetts · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Massachusetts

All statesGrassland birds

Eastern Meadowlark in Massachusetts has collapsed: down 98% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-98%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 →
24Routes 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 →
52YearsYears 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 MassachusettsNotable 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 Massachusetts: down 97% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Eastern Meadowlark Population Forecast in Massachusetts

If the recent trend holds, Eastern Meadowlark in Massachusetts is projected to fall about 100% by 2028 — from 0.15 in 2023 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–1.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±2485.6%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-100%Change by 2028TrendPercent 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 2028 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–1.995% 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 →
±2485.6%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 Massachusetts is projected to fall about 100% by 2028 — from 0.15 in 2023 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–1.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±2485.6%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662028
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 →
20240.000.001.9
20250.000.001.9
20260.000.001.9
20270.000.001.9
20280.000.001.9

Eastern Meadowlark Survey Routes in Massachusetts

Routes recording Eastern Meadowlark in Massachusetts.
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 →
Princeton419761969
E Dennis319771971
N Orange319801968
Marion219941966
Pittsfield219881968
Sheffield219981969
Chilmark119711971
Wellfleet119771966
Prattville120131967
Brockton119731967
Newburyport120161967
Maynard119951967
Littleton120051967
N Oxford119951968
Mansfield119921968
E Pepperell119911966
Belchertown120231967
Warren120081968
S Barre119891968
Cummington119941979
Chesterfield119871968
Cheshire119941969
Holden120231978
Warren 2120122012

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Other States

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

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