Species · South Dakota · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in South Dakota

Eastern Meadowlark in South Dakota has collapsed: down 92% on the route-weighted index since 1996.

-92%Since 1996
4Routes In State
19Years

Notable Eastern Meadowlark Trends in South Dakota

long arc declinecomputed index

Eastern Meadowlark has collapsed in South Dakota: down 92% on the route-weighted index since 1996.

Eastern Meadowlark Population Forecast in South Dakota

If the recent trend holds, Eastern Meadowlark in South Dakota is projected to fall about 100% by 2028 — from 0.13 in 2023 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.57). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±366.5%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-100%Change by 2028
0.00Projected 2028 index
0.000.5795% range
±366.5%Backtest error
19942028
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
20240.000.000.57
20250.000.000.57
20260.000.000.57
20270.000.000.57
20280.000.000.57

Eastern Meadowlark Survey Routes in South Dakota

Routes recording Eastern Meadowlark in South Dakota.
Rosebud820092007
White River719971994
Lacreek320231994
Lennox120232023

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Other States

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