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Species · Missouri · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Horned Lark Population Trend in Missouri

All statesGrassland birds

Horned Lark in Missouri has fallen sharply: down 61% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

-61%Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
77Routes 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 Horned Lark Trends in MissouriNotable 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 →

Horned Lark has fallen sharply in Missouri: down 61% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Horned Lark Population Forecast in Missouri

If the recent trend holds, Horned Lark in Missouri is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 2.1 (95% range 0.00–4.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±18%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-2%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 →
2.1Projected 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 →
0.00–4.795% 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 →
±18%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, Horned Lark in Missouri is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 2.1 (95% range 0.00–4.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±18%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672030
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 →
20262.50.005.1
20272.40.005.0
20282.30.004.9
20292.20.004.8
20302.10.004.7

Horned Lark Survey Routes in Missouri

Routes recording Horned Lark in Missouri.
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 →
Warren4619841967
Stet3219951972
Norborne3120232006
Madison2120241971
Sni Mills2019901967
Hamilton1719851973
Frankford1720251985
Rensselaer1620251971
Trenton1620251968
Danville1420251967
Kahoka1419981967
Kirksville1420251994
Deventer1220251967
Kahoka21220242002
Blodgett1220252013
Hayti920212016
Laclede720251994
Cameron720231986
Luray720232019
Reeds620231974
Ohio620241972
Millwood620251999
Mcfall620251994
Rockingham520251969
Emden520242017

Horned Lark Population Trend in Other States

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

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