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Species · Mississippi · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Mississippi

All statesGrassland birds

Eastern Meadowlark in Mississippi has collapsed: down 90% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-90%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 →
68Routes 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 MississippiNotable 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 Mississippi: down 90% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Eastern Meadowlark Population Forecast in Mississippi

If the recent trend holds, Eastern Meadowlark in Mississippi is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 3.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–7.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±134.1%, 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 →
0.00–7.295% 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 →
±134.1%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 Mississippi is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 3.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–7.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±134.1%, 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 →
20250.000.007.2
20260.000.007.2
20270.000.007.2
20280.000.007.2
20290.000.007.2

Eastern Meadowlark Survey Routes in Mississippi

Routes recording Eastern Meadowlark in Mississippi.
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 →
Commerce5419931966
Walthall4819871970
Poplarville4019781972
Macon2820241966
Olive Branch2720011966
Aberdeen2320241970
Dundee1920221970
Diberville1919871979
Necaise1820221982
Tupelo1720221966
Winterville1420112009
Mt Carmel1320161974
Cybur1220191966
Scooba819821967
Utica720211966
Fontainbleau719781967
Trace Hinds620222014
Lake Mary519901974
Beverly520111966
Amite River520132008
Okatibbee L.520081995
Tchula419751970
Isola420221968
Leaf River420132008
Water Valley420182015

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Other States

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

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