BirdAnalyst
Species · Colorado · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Hairy Woodpecker Population Trend in Colorado

All statesForest birds

Hairy Woodpecker in Colorado has surged: up 251% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

+251%Since 1971TrendPercent 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 →
91Routes 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 →
54YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Hairy Woodpecker Trends in ColoradoNotable 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 →

Hairy Woodpecker has surged in Colorado: up 251% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

Hairy Woodpecker Population Forecast in Colorado

If the recent trend holds, Hairy Woodpecker in Colorado is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.60 (95% range 0.40–0.81). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±21.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-4%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 →
0.60Projected 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 →
0.40–0.8195% 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 →
±21.9%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, Hairy Woodpecker in Colorado is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.60 (95% range 0.40–0.81). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±21.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19692029
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 →
20250.570.360.77
20260.580.370.78
20270.590.380.79
20280.590.390.80
20290.600.400.81

Hairy Woodpecker Survey Routes in Colorado

Routes recording Hairy Woodpecker in Colorado.
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 →
Blackhead Pk820211991
Elbert820241998
Comanche Pk720241995
Gold Hill720121998
Deadman Rd.520241996
Pinon420241992
Parlin320231979
Dunckley Pas320231992
Wet Mtns.320232017
Cokedale320241995
Lake City 2320242017
Baxter Pass320242024
Marshall Pas320191995
Gold Hill 2320242018
Yampa220211982
Buford220231983
Delta220211978
Dolores219761976
Pagosa Spgs219741970
Villegreen220042004
Buffalo Park220231992
Thomasville220181997
Steamboat L.220121998
Basin220242007
Rollins Pass220222008

Hairy Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

alabamaalaskaarizonaarkansascaliforniaconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanevadanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasutahvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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