BirdAnalyst
Species · North Dakota · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Western Meadowlark Population Trend in North Dakota

All statesGrassland birds

Western Meadowlark in North Dakota has declined: down 38% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

-38%Since 1969
51Routes In State
57Years

Notable Western Meadowlark Trends in North Dakota

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

Western Meadowlark Population Forecast in North Dakota

If the recent trend holds, Western Meadowlark in North Dakota is projected to fall about 22% by 2029 — from 86 in 2024 to a central estimate of 67 (95% range 31–103). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±10.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-22%Change by 2029
67Projected 2029 index
31–10395% range
±10.1%Backtest error
19672029
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
20257236108
20267134107
20276933106
20286832105
20296731103

Western Meadowlark Survey Routes in North Dakota

Routes recording Western Meadowlark in North Dakota.
Dickinson32420241968
Ft Yates26220041968
Bentley21620241988
Denbigh18020241968
Zap16420241967
Golva15620231979
Carson15620241988
Dunn Center14420241968
Gorham14120181968
Horsehead Lk13720241980
Solen12020242005
Sydney11219831967
Glen Ullin10820221982
Danzig 210720242019
Bowman10620241967
Lake George10220221967
Douglas Crk10220241982
Tobacco9820191968
Roosevelt Pk9020191982
Cedar Creek8420221968
Powers Lake8020241980
Stanley7320241967
Cooperstown7020241969
Sheyenne Lk6320241980
Danzig6120141982

Western Meadowlark Population Trend in Other States

arizonacaliforniacoloradoidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckymichiganminnesotamissourimontananebraskanevadanew-mexiconew-yorkohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniasouth-dakotatexasutahwashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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