BirdAnalyst
Species · South Carolina · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in South Carolina

All statesGrassland birds

Eastern Meadowlark in South Carolina 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 →
47Routes 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 South CarolinaNotable 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 South Carolina: down 90% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Eastern Meadowlark Population Forecast in South Carolina

If the recent trend holds, Eastern Meadowlark in South Carolina is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 2.3 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–6.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±168.4%, 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 →
0.00–6.195% 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 →
±168.4%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 South Carolina is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 2.3 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–6.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±168.4%, 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 →
20250.000.006.1
20260.000.006.1
20270.000.006.1
20280.000.006.1
20290.000.006.1

Eastern Meadowlark Survey Routes in South Carolina

Routes recording Eastern Meadowlark in South Carolina.
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 →
Pendleton8519761966
Boykin Ml Pd5719681966
New Holland2520241967
Boiling Spgs2519791967
Little Mtn2419881966
Chesnee1420151992
Owings1320041992
Landrum1319921972
Joanna920231999
Blacksburg820131998
Johns Isle719791966
Ward720212017
Lowrys720212017
Nixonville619881987
Bennettsville620171998
Sandhills520241994
Prosperity520241992
Dillon320211970
Campobello320242010
Salem320242010
Anderson320181977
Jamestown219721968
Rome220221967
Holly Hill220231972
Foreston220211966

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansasconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsin

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