BirdAnalyst
Species · New Hampshire · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Downy Woodpecker Population Trend in New Hampshire

All statesForest birds

Downy Woodpecker in New Hampshire has surged: up 81% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+81%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 →
26Routes 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 New HampshireNotable 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 New Hampshire: up 81% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Downy Woodpecker Population Forecast in New Hampshire

If the recent trend holds, Downy Woodpecker in New Hampshire is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 3.4 (95% range 2.5–4.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±23.4%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+5%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 →
3.4Projected 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 →
2.5–4.395% 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 →
±23.4%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, Downy Woodpecker in New Hampshire is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 3.4 (95% range 2.5–4.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±23.4%, 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 →
20253.22.34.1
20263.32.44.2
20273.32.44.2
20283.32.44.2
20293.42.54.3

Downy Woodpecker Survey Routes in New Hampshire

Routes recording Downy Woodpecker in New Hampshire.
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 →
Dover1220241966
Peterborough820241967
Concord820241967
East Kingston820241999
Epsom520231966
Marlow520241966
Brentwood419981966
Canterbury420241968
Mt Chocorua420241968
Jefferson Hl420241966
Fitzwilliam320241968
Gilmantn I W320231970
Wilmot320241966
Walpole320241967
Lempster320241966
Strafford220241966
Crawford Not219751967
Glen220221975
Dixville Notch 2220242018
Hopkinton120231969
Franconia120241966
Milan120231969
Stratford120211967
Dixvil Notch120171981
Clarksville120231968

Downy Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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