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

Hairy Woodpecker Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesForest birds

Hairy Woodpecker in West Virginia has risen sharply: up 61% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+61%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 Hairy 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 →

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 risen sharply in West Virginia: up 61% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Hairy Woodpecker Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Hairy Woodpecker in West Virginia is projected to rise about 35% by 2029 — from 0.57 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.77 (95% range 0.34–1.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±16.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+35%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 →
0.77Projected 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 →
0.34–1.295% 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 →
±16.7%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 West Virginia is projected to rise about 35% by 2029 — from 0.57 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.77 (95% range 0.34–1.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±16.7%, 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 →
20250.740.311.2
20260.750.321.2
20270.750.321.2
20280.760.331.2
20290.770.341.2

Hairy Woodpecker Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Hairy 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 →
Josephs Mill520241993
Glade Run520021989
Yellow Spg420221975
Lost River420191996
Hix320241972
Richwood320231980
Moundsville320221972
Smithfield320241996
Meadowville320211996
Bismark320221985
Pedro220221979
Bramwell220221979
Pt Pleasant220171997
Fayetteville219951980
Yawkey220101969
Sutton220221997
Strange Crk220171994
Mo Of Seneca220171970
Mcdonald220231988
Bebee220241972
Ruthbelle220231979
Bowden220241993
Henderson220182017
Smoot120231980
Stollings120211994

Hairy 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.