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Species · Alabama · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Alabama

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in Alabama has surged: up 86% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+86%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 →
104Routes 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 Pileated Woodpecker Trends in AlabamaNotable 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 →

Pileated Woodpecker has surged in Alabama: up 86% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Pileated Woodpecker Population Forecast in Alabama

If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in Alabama is projected to fall about 29% by 2030 — from 3.4 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.4 (95% range 1.8–3.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±17.8%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-29%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 →
2.4Projected 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 →
1.8–3.195% 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 →
±17.8%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, Pileated Woodpecker in Alabama is projected to fall about 29% by 2030 — from 3.4 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.4 (95% range 1.8–3.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±17.8%, with 80% 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 →
20262.31.73.0
20272.31.73.0
20282.41.73.0
20292.41.73.0
20302.41.83.1

Pileated Woodpecker Survey Routes in Alabama

Routes recording Pileated Woodpecker in Alabama.
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 →
Millry1120181970
Liberty City1120111979
Jena1020251981
Carrollton1020251994
Warrior Std920251966
Elamville820251984
Liberty City 2820252017
Gainestown Ferry820151999
Cottonton720251966
Wedgeworth720251984
Holt720251993
Castleberry620251966
Fairview620241990
Sprott-Cahaba Riv620142000
Mt Olive520251966
Howard520251966
Linden520231970
Grangeburg520241969
Youngtown520251993
Stevenson520241998
Oneonta520251996
Talladega520252001
Millerville420251971
Maytown420251966
South420251971

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

arkansascaliforniaconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsin

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.