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

Western Meadowlark Population Trend in Oregon

All statesGrassland birds

Western Meadowlark in Oregon has declined: down 35% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

-35%Since 1970TrendPercent 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 →
110Routes 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 →
57YearsYears 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 OregonNotable 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 Oregon. See the full index history below.

Western Meadowlark Population Forecast in Oregon

If the recent trend holds, Western Meadowlark in Oregon is projected to fall about 51% by 2030 — from 25 in 2025 to a central estimate of 12 (95% range 0.00–27). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±47.4%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-51%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 →
12Projected 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 →
0.00–2795% 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 →
±47.4%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 Oregon is projected to fall about 51% by 2030 — from 25 in 2025 to a central estimate of 12 (95% range 0.00–27). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±47.4%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682030
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 →
2026140.0029
2027140.0028
2028130.0028
2029130.0027
2030120.0027

Western Meadowlark Survey Routes in Oregon

Routes recording Western Meadowlark in Oregon.
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 →
Zumwalt25620051995
Sheaville14820252012
Bowden Hills14720251999
Alvord Lake13820251968
Willow Spg13819711969
Harney Lake13120241993
Umatilla12520251988
Malheur Res.12520232022
Trout Creek12420251996
Three Forks12420252003
Montague11320251974
Ordnance10319791971
Crowley10320251983
Battle Mtn9620251985
Catlow Rim9420251993
Princeton9219851972
Malheur Nwr9120221986
Green Mtn.9120251994
Madras8820251997
Mikkalo8720251996
Crane8420241993
Bridgeport7820251986
Crooked Riv.7820251994
Blitzen 27520251994
Albee7420251968

Western Meadowlark Population Trend in Other States

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