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

Western Meadowlark Population Trend in Ohio

All statesGrassland birds

Western Meadowlark in Ohio has collapsed: down 91% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-91%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 →
18Routes 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 →
25YearsYears 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 OhioNotable 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 →

Western Meadowlark has collapsed in Ohio: down 91% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Western Meadowlark Population Forecast in Ohio

If the recent trend holds, Western Meadowlark in Ohio is projected to stay roughly flat through 2026, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.17). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±482.7%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2026TrendPercent 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 →
0.00Projected 2026 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
0.00–0.1795% 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 →
±482.7%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 Ohio is projected to stay roughly flat through 2026, near 0.00 (95% range 0.00–0.17). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±482.7%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662026
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 →
20220.000.000.17
20230.000.000.17
20240.000.000.17
20250.000.000.17
20260.000.000.17

Western Meadowlark Survey Routes in Ohio

Routes recording Western Meadowlark in Ohio.
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 →
Kingsway819761966
Kunkle220041996
Xenia219841984
No Kenton119941994
Lockport119951966
Napoleon119971989
Kenton119891982
Marion119661966
Graytown119681966
N Baltimore119661966
New Dover119821982
Fulton119701966
Tecumseh119801980
Bismark119901990
Enon119981998
Norwalk119891989
Vickery120212021
Ash Ridge119971997

Western Meadowlark Population Trend in Other States

arizonacaliforniacoloradoidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckymichiganminnesotamissourimontananebraskanevadanew-mexiconew-yorknorth-dakotaoklahomaoregonpennsylvaniasouth-dakotatexasutahwashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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