BirdAnalyst
Species · Illinois · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Horned Lark Population Trend in Illinois

All statesGrassland birds

Horned Lark in Illinois has fallen sharply: down 71% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-71%Since 1968
102Routes In State
58Years

Notable Horned Lark Trends in Illinois

long arc declinecomputed index

Horned Lark has fallen sharply in Illinois: down 71% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Horned Lark Population Forecast in Illinois

If the recent trend holds, Horned Lark in Illinois is projected to fall about 16% by 2029 — from 10 in 2024 to a central estimate of 8.5 (95% range 0.00–24). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±32.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-16%Change by 2029
8.5Projected 2029 index
0.00–2495% range
±32.2%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
2025110.0026
2026100.0025
20279.60.0025
20289.10.0024
20298.50.0024

Horned Lark Survey Routes in Illinois

Routes recording Horned Lark in Illinois.
Melrose6919991973
Marshall5920242001
Bradbury5520241970
Alden3520232019
York3320241993
Beaucoup3120241971
Martinsville2920241970
Fairdale2820242019
Stillwell2720231971
Monticello2520241976
Dudleyville2320242001
Janesville2120241972
Sterling2120232001
Mill Creek2020241966
Fairland2020241967
Jamestown2020241966
Grape Creek1920242001
Williamsfld1820241971
Mascoutah Lk1620241967
St Morgan1620221967
Yale1620241993
Union1620172001
Kell1620242001
Robinson1520231970
Bartonville1420241973

Horned Lark Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawaregeorgiaidahoindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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