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Species · Nebraska · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Nebraska

All statesGrassland birds

Eastern Meadowlark in Nebraska has fallen sharply: down 74% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

-74%Since 1969
42Routes In State
57Years

Notable Eastern Meadowlark Trends in Nebraska

long arc declinecomputed index

Eastern Meadowlark has fallen sharply in Nebraska: down 74% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Eastern Meadowlark Population Forecast in Nebraska

If the recent trend holds, Eastern Meadowlark in Nebraska is projected to fall about 54% by 2029 — from 2.3 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.0 (95% range 0.00–4.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±46.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-54%Change by 2029
1.0Projected 2029 index
0.00–4.095% range
±46.5%Backtest error
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 index95% low95% high
20251.30.004.3
20261.20.004.2
20271.20.004.2
20281.10.004.1
20291.00.004.0

Eastern Meadowlark Survey Routes in Nebraska

Routes recording Eastern Meadowlark in Nebraska.
Petersburg7720071989
Murdock3120242018
Humboldt2720242018
Liberty 31820242009
Sparta1519981969
Liberty 21520072004
Liberty1120031967
Red Cloud1020242018
Gretna820181967
Winside619831982
Brownlee620241990
Lyons620232021
Berwyn 2620172014
Piester Lake520241968
Julian320241969
Johnson320241967
Kenesaw320231975
Berwyn319931993
Belvidere220211967
Seward220171967
Kearney219901968
Irvington220241967
Surprise220211968
Paxton220091969
Eagle Creek220021968

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Other States

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

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