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Species · Nebraska · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

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 →
45Routes 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 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 46% by 2030 — from 1.9 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.0 (95% range 0.00–4.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±41.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-46%Change by 2030TrendPercent 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 2030 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 →
±41.8%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 46% by 2030 — from 1.9 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.0 (95% range 0.00–4.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±41.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672030
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 →
20261.30.004.2
20271.20.004.2
20281.10.004.1
20291.10.004.0
20301.00.004.0

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 →
Humboldt2620252018
Liberty 32120252009
Murdock1920252018
Sparta1519981969
Liberty 21520072004
Brownlee1220251990
Liberty1120031967
Red Cloud1020242018
Gretna820181967
Winside619831982
Gretna 2520252019
Johnson420251967
Piester Lake420251968
Brownson420252025
Berwyn 2420252014
Julian320241969
Kenesaw320231975
Irvington320251967
Berwyn319931993
Belvidere220211967
Seward220171967
Kearney219901968
Paxton220091969
Eagle Creek220021968
Kennedy220231987

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 2026-08-14.