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Species · West Virginia · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Downy Woodpecker Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesForest birds

Downy Woodpecker in West Virginia has edged down: down 14% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-14%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 →
64Routes 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 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 stay roughly flat through 2030, near 3.0 (95% range 1.5–4.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±19.6%, with 100% 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 →
3.0Projected 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 →
1.5–4.695% 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 →
±19.6%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 stay roughly flat through 2030, near 3.0 (95% range 1.5–4.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±19.6%, with 100% 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 →
20263.01.54.5
20273.01.54.5
20283.01.54.5
20293.01.54.6
20303.01.54.6

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 →
Pedro920251979
Stollings920211986
Sugar Grove920251966
Martinsburg920251966
Mcdonald820231987
Welch720251980
Sleepy Creek719901966
Hubbardstown620231966
Valley Head620251972
Strange Crk620251982
Bismark620251976
Henderson620232002
Hanover520251980
Spencer520231986
Cedarville520231982
Slate520251981
Lost River520251996
Shanghai520251995
Fayetteville419951980
Dailey420251974
Mo Of Seneca420251969
Mt Storm419751968
Rio419951974
Hix320251970
Ghent320251979

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 2026-08-14.