BirdAnalyst
Species · Nebraska · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Western Meadowlark Population Trend in Nebraska

All statesGrassland birds

Western Meadowlark in Nebraska has edged down: down 16% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

-16%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 →
76Routes 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 Western Meadowlark Trends in NebraskaNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Western Meadowlark in Nebraska. See the full index history below.

Western Meadowlark Population Forecast in Nebraska

If the recent trend holds, Western Meadowlark in Nebraska is projected to rise about 18% by 2030 — from 89 in 2025 to a central estimate of 106 (95% range 74–137). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±43.1%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+18%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 →
106Projected 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 →
74–13795% 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 →
±43.1%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, Western Meadowlark in Nebraska is projected to rise about 18% by 2030 — from 89 in 2025 to a central estimate of 106 (95% range 74–137). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±43.1%, with 20% 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 →
202610675138
202710674138
202810674138
202910674137
203010674137

Western Meadowlark Survey Routes in Nebraska

Routes recording Western Meadowlark in Nebraska.
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 →
Arthur34620251985
Marsland27620212018
Swan Lake25620251969
Winside24820031967
Mullen24020231990
Hay Springs23620252018
Berea22720251980
Oglala Nat. Grass.21820251999
Bartlett18819761967
Gordon18420251975
Agate18120011967
Brownlee17020251990
Eagle Creek16220251967
Dalton16020251968
Ringgold15720251985
Crookston15520252018
Brownson15120252021
Midway14920251967
Crescent Lk14920251980
Sumner14720251967
Paxton14420161967
Murray Lake14120251987
Agate 214120252002
Piester Lake13920251967
Pine Ridge13820251999

Western Meadowlark Population Trend in Other States

arizonacaliforniacoloradoidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckymichiganminnesotamissourimontananevadanew-mexiconew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniasouth-dakotatexasutahwashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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