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Species · Maine · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Downy Woodpecker Population Trend in Maine

All statesForest birds

Downy Woodpecker in Maine has surged: up 126% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+126%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 →
58YearsYears 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 126% 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 rise about 14% by 2029 — from 1.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.9 (95% range 1.2–2.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±16.3%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+14%Change by 2029TrendPercent 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 2029 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 →
±16.3%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 rise about 14% by 2029 — from 1.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.9 (95% range 1.2–2.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±16.3%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662029
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 →
20251.91.12.6
20261.91.12.6
20271.91.12.6
20281.91.12.7
20291.91.22.7

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
Greenville620221972
Seboomook Lk520141972
Benedicta520221976
Nesowadnehun520211990
Westbrook420241977
Carrying Pl420241980
Cambridge420131967
Waite419771977
Baker Lake 2420112011
Hartford320241975
East Troy320191977
Harmony320241967
Hermon320191966
Hancock320241969
Aurora320181979
Northfield319811976
Baxter319881982
Winn320221979
St David320041989
Priestly Br.320131995
Topsfield319961978
Heron Lake320031983
Cornville320242019

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 2026-05-22.