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Species · Oklahoma · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Ladder-backed Woodpecker Population Trend in Oklahoma

All statesForest birds

Ladder-backed Woodpecker in Oklahoma has surged: up 101% on the route-weighted index since 1974.

+101%Since 1974TrendPercent 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 →
16Routes 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 →
40YearsYears surveyedNumber of years with at least one standard-protocol run in this geography. A longer record makes the trend more reliable.Full methodology →

Notable Ladder-backed Woodpecker Trends in OklahomaNotable 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 →

Ladder-backed Woodpecker has surged in Oklahoma: up 101% on the route-weighted index since 1974.

Ladder-backed Woodpecker Population Forecast in Oklahoma

If the recent trend holds, Ladder-backed Woodpecker in Oklahoma is projected to fall about 37% by 2029 — from 0.24 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.15 (95% range 0.00–0.31). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±83%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-37%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 →
0.15Projected 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 →
0.00–0.3195% 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 →
±83%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, Ladder-backed Woodpecker in Oklahoma is projected to fall about 37% by 2029 — from 0.24 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.15 (95% range 0.00–0.31). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±83%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19702029
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 →
20250.150.000.30
20260.150.000.30
20270.150.000.30
20280.150.000.30
20290.150.000.31

Ladder-backed Woodpecker Survey Routes in Oklahoma

Routes recording Ladder-backed Woodpecker in Oklahoma.
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 →
Reed419961972
Clear Lake320152015
Cooperton320241992
Phroso220242005
Woodward220222013
Duncan219951995
Felt120242011
Hooker120142014
Ft Sill West119941994
Randlett120241991
Cookietown120021970
Wichita Mtns119941994
Grimes120151970
Erick120181972
Hollis120131993
Sickles120021996

Ladder-backed Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

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