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Species · Virginia · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Virginia

All statesGrassland birds

Eastern Meadowlark in Virginia has fallen sharply: down 68% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-68%Since 1968
73Routes In State
58Years

Notable Eastern Meadowlark Trends in Virginia

long arc declinecomputed index

Eastern Meadowlark has fallen sharply in Virginia: down 68% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Eastern Meadowlark Population Forecast in Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Eastern Meadowlark in Virginia is projected to fall about 71% by 2029 — from 7.3 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.1 (95% range 0.00–9.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±59.6%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-71%Change by 2029
2.1Projected 2029 index
0.00–9.595% range
±59.6%Backtest error
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 index95% low95% high
20253.60.0011
20263.20.0011
20272.90.0010
20282.50.009.8
20292.10.009.5

Eastern Meadowlark Survey Routes in Virginia

Routes recording Eastern Meadowlark in Virginia.
Churchville7020241966
Moran2820241996
Wylliesburg2520191971
Natural Brid2320241974
Brandy Station2220242017
Newbern2119821968
Ivanhoe2119681966
Clinchport1819781967
Church Road1620241966
Finchley1620211994
Ringgold1520241976
Brodnax1520241973
Cornland1520141975
Rural Retrt1220241982
Hebron 21220242023
Taylorstown 21220242012
Jerome1120231971
Marion1119821976
Gladys1120241994
Lake Anna1120242021
Taylorstown1020101967
David1020131968
Stanley920241966
Tryme920241975
Big Island920241968

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansasconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontwest-virginiawisconsin

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