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Species · Wisconsin · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Wisconsin

All statesGrassland birds

Eastern Meadowlark in Wisconsin has collapsed: down 76% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-76%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 →
91Routes 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 →
59YearsYears 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 WisconsinNotable 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 Wisconsin: down 76% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Eastern Meadowlark Population Forecast in Wisconsin

If the recent trend holds, Eastern Meadowlark in Wisconsin is projected to fall about 50% by 2030 — from 3.9 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.9 (95% range 0.00–5.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±14.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-50%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 →
1.9Projected 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 →
0.00–5.595% 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 →
±14.1%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 Wisconsin is projected to fall about 50% by 2030 — from 3.9 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.9 (95% range 0.00–5.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±14.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
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 →
20262.90.006.4
20272.60.006.2
20282.40.006.0
20292.20.005.7
20301.90.005.5

Eastern Meadowlark Survey Routes in Wisconsin

Routes recording Eastern Meadowlark in Wisconsin.
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 →
Annaton4120251998
Wiota2620251966
Holway2119891967
Stetsonville2120251990
Hazel Green2020251966
Kendall1920251967
N Andover1720251967
River Falls1320251998
Stratford1220251968
Viroqua1220241966
Omro1120011966
Casco1120251966
Pt Washingtn1020241966
Prairie Du Chien820251998
Gilman720251966
N Freedom720251966
Rolling Grnd620251966
New Lisbon620251967
Amnicon Falls620251998
Buena Vista620251998
Gresham620251998
Mukwonago620041998
Iron River520251967
Merrill520251966
Unity520251967

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansasconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawest-virginia

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.