BirdAnalyst
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 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 →
42Routes 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 NebraskaNotable 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 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 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 →
1.0Projected 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 →
0.00–4.095% 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 →
±46.5%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 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.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 →
20251.30.004.3
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.
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 →
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.