BirdAnalyst
Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Gila Woodpecker

PicidaeArid-land birdsMelanerpes uropygialis

Gila Woodpecker has surged: up 272% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+272%Since 1970TrendPercent 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 →
52RoutesSurvey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
56Years SurveyedYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

About the Gila Woodpecker

The Gila Woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis) is a North American member of the Woodpeckers (Picidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the arid-land birds.

Size
6–19.5 in long (15–50 cm) — a chisel-billed climber (typical for the family)
Habitat
Deserts, dry scrub and brushland of the Southwest.
Diet
Seeds, insects and cactus fruit of arid-land plants.
Range
Recorded on 52 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 3 states, most concentrated in the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts.
Family
Picidae · Arid-land birds

Notable Gila Woodpecker TrendsNotable 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 Gila Woodpecker. See the full index history below.

Gila Woodpecker Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Gila Woodpecker is projected to rise about 72% by 2029 — from 0.10 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.17 (95% range 0.10–0.25). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±25.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+72%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 →
0.17Projected 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 →
0.10–0.2595% 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 →
±25.2%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, Gila Woodpecker is projected to rise about 72% by 2029 — from 0.10 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.17 (95% range 0.10–0.25). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±25.2%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682029
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 →
20250.160.090.24
20260.170.090.24
20270.170.090.24
20280.170.100.25
20290.170.100.25

Where the Gila Woodpecker Is Detected

BBS routes recording Gila Woodpecker, sized by most recent count.

Gila Woodpecker Population Trend by State

Gila Woodpecker population trend by state.
TrendPercent 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 →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Arizona+187%197048
California+144%19773
New Mexicoinsufficient datan/a1

Gila Woodpecker Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

Gila Woodpecker population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
TrendPercent 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 →Baseline yearThe first year of the smoothed window the trend is measured from. An earlier baseline means a longer record stands behind the number.Full methodology →Survey routesHow many standard-protocol BBS routes contributed counts. More routes means a steadier, better-sampled index; very thin coverage is suppressed.Full methodology →
Sonoran and Mojave Deserts+229%197033
Sierra Madre Occidental+77%197016

Gila Woodpecker Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it up about 272% since 1970.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.