Population status

Western Meadowlark
(Sturnella neglecta)

The Western Meadowlark is well monitored by the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) with good coverage of the species' population in Canada. Data from the BBS indicate a large decrease in population relative to 1970. Populations decreased until the late 1990s, and have since been relatively stable, though at lower numbers than any other time. In Canada, the highest densities of Western Meadowlarks are found in the Prairie Potholes Bird Conservation Region (BCR) of the southern prairie provinces, where the magnitude of population decrease is smaller than in some of the other BCRs, such as the Boreal Taiga Plains and Great Basin BCRs (all BCRs in which the species occurs and for which there are reasonably reliable BBS results are displayed below). 

Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis

Additional information on: Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) - Canadian analysis

References

• Davis, S.K. and W.E. Lanyon. 2008. Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. Davis, S.K. and W.E. Lanyon. 2008. Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. (Link)
• McMaster, D.G. and S.K. Davis. 2001. An evaluation of Canada’s Permanent Cover Program: habitat for grassland birds? Journal of Field Ornithology 72:195-210.
• Nocera, J.J., and H.M. Koslowsky. 2011. Population trends of grassland birds in North America are linked to the prevalence of an agricultural epizootic in Europe. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science 108:5122-5126. Nocera, J.J., and H.M. Koslowsky. 2011. Population trends of grassland birds in North America are linked to the prevalence of an agricultural epizootic in Europe. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science 108:5122-5126. (Link)
• Watmough, M.D. and M.J. Schmoll. 2007. Environment Canada’s Prairie and Northern Region Habitat Monitoring Program Phase II: Recent Habitat Trends in the Prairie Habitat Joint Venture. Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service, Edmonton, Alberta. 153 pp.