BirdAnalyst
Species · South Carolina · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Downy Woodpecker Population Trend in South Carolina

All statesForest birds

Downy Woodpecker in South Carolina has increased: up 35% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+35%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 →
50Routes 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 South CarolinaNotable 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 Downy Woodpecker in South Carolina. See the full index history below.

Downy Woodpecker Population Forecast in South Carolina

If the recent trend holds, Downy Woodpecker in South Carolina is projected to fall about 18% by 2029 — from 4.3 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.5 (95% range 1.3–5.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±14.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-18%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 →
3.5Projected 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 →
1.3–5.895% 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 →
±14.1%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 South Carolina is projected to fall about 18% by 2029 — from 4.3 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.5 (95% range 1.3–5.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±14.1%, with 100% 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 →
20253.51.35.8
20263.51.35.8
20273.51.35.8
20283.51.35.8
20293.51.35.8

Downy Woodpecker Survey Routes in South Carolina

Routes recording Downy Woodpecker in South Carolina.
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 →
Kiawah Island1720241998
Walterboro1120171971
Little Mtn1119881967
Owings820041992
New Ellenton820242010
Battlecreek820241999
Holly Hill720241972
Prosperity720241992
Dillon620191971
Plum Branch620241977
Carvers Bay620121998
Rome520241967
Salem Xrd520191982
Whitmire520242010
Jamestown420191967
Foreston420211966
Green Sea420242019
Adams Run420241988
Anderson420181977
Coward320191966
New Holland320241967
Campobello320242010
Blacksburg320131998
Greenwood320181998
Joanna320231999

Downy Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

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

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