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Species · West Virginia · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Downy Woodpecker Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesForest birds

Downy Woodpecker in West Virginia has edged down: down 18% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-18%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 →
63Routes 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 West VirginiaNotable 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 West Virginia. See the full index history below.

Downy Woodpecker Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Downy Woodpecker in West Virginia is projected to rise about 41% by 2029 — from 2.1 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.0 (95% range 1.5–4.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±24.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+41%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 →
3.0Projected 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 →
1.5–4.695% 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 →
±24.3%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 West Virginia is projected to rise about 41% by 2029 — from 2.1 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.0 (95% range 1.5–4.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±24.3%, 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 →
20253.01.44.5
20263.01.44.6
20273.01.54.6
20283.01.54.6
20293.01.54.6

Downy Woodpecker Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Downy Woodpecker in West Virginia.
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 →
Shanghai1420221995
Stollings920211986
Hix820241970
Mcdonald820231987
Sleepy Creek719901966
Hubbardstown620231966
Sugar Grove620241966
Slate620241981
Henderson620232002
Spencer520231986
Cedarville520231982
Strange Crk520171982
Rockport520241966
Martinsburg520241966
Ghent420241979
Hanover420241980
Clear Creek420241988
Welch420231980
Fayetteville419951980
Bebee420241972
Mt Storm419751968
Rio419951974
Bismark420231976
Pedro320241979
Arlee319791966

Downy Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniacoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwisconsinwyoming

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