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Species · Maine · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Downy Woodpecker Population Trend in Maine

All statesForest birds

Downy Woodpecker in Maine has surged: up 95% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+95%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 →
75Routes 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 →
59YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Downy Woodpecker Trends in MaineNotable 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 increasecomputed 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 →

Downy Woodpecker has surged in Maine: up 95% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Downy Woodpecker Population Forecast in Maine

If the recent trend holds, Downy Woodpecker in Maine is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 1.9 (95% range 1.2–2.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±15.2%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-1%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 →
1.9Projected 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 →
1.2–2.795% 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 →
±15.2%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, Downy Woodpecker in Maine is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 1.9 (95% range 1.2–2.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±15.2%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
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 →
20261.91.12.6
20271.91.12.6
20281.91.12.7
20291.91.22.7
20301.91.22.7

Downy Woodpecker Survey Routes in Maine

Routes recording Downy Woodpecker in Maine.
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 →
Bowdoin Ctr820211971
Turner620101973
Greenwood620251966
Greenville620221972
Seboomook Lk520141972
Benedicta520221976
Turner 2520252011
Nesowadnehun520211990
Westbrook420241977
Reeds420251983
Eastbrook420251972
Carrying Pl420251980
Cambridge420131967
Waite419771977
Baker Lake 2420112011
Brooks320211977
Hancock320241969
Aurora320181979
Northfield319811976
Baxter319881982
Winn320221979
St David320041989
Priestly Br.320131995
Topsfield319961978
Heron Lake320031983

Downy Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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