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Species · Wisconsin · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Eastern Meadowlark Population Trend in Wisconsin

All statesGrassland birds

Eastern Meadowlark in Wisconsin has fallen sharply: down 75% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-75%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 →
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 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 fallen sharply in Wisconsin: down 75% 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 48% by 2029 — from 4.1 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.1 (95% range 0.00–5.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±11.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-48%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 →
2.1Projected 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 →
0.00–5.795% 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 →
±11.3%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 48% by 2029 — from 4.1 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.1 (95% range 0.00–5.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±11.3%, 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 →
20253.10.006.6
20262.80.006.4
20272.60.006.2
20282.30.005.9
20292.10.005.7

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 →
Annaton3720241998
Holway2119891967
Wiota2120241966
Hazel Green2020241966
N Andover1520241967
Highland1420241998
Viroqua1220241966
Stetsonville1220241990
Stratford1120241968
Omro1120011966
Casco1120241966
Eden1120241966
Pt Washingtn1020241966
Amnicon Falls1020241998
River Falls1020241998
Hudson920241966
Gilman920241966
Gilmanton920241966
Prairie Du Chien920241998
Unity720241967
Rolling Grnd720241966
Kiel720221998
Kendall620231967
N Freedom620241966
Colby620241998

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 2026-05-22.