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

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Alabama

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in Alabama has risen sharply: up 67% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+67%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 →
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 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 risen sharply in Alabama: up 67% 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 15% by 2029 — from 2.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.3 (95% range 1.7–2.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±15.3%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-15%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 →
2.3Projected 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 →
1.7–2.995% 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 →
±15.3%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 15% by 2029 — from 2.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.3 (95% range 1.7–2.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±15.3%, with 80% 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 →
20252.21.62.8
20262.21.72.8
20272.31.72.9
20282.31.72.9
20292.31.72.9

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 →
Cottonton1320241966
Howard1120241966
Millry1120181970
Liberty City1120111979
Sprague820241967
Gainestown Ferry820151999
Youngtown720231993
Warrior Std620241966
Fairview620241990
Elamville620241984
Mt. Gilead620241995
Liberty City 2620242017
Sprott-Cahaba Riv620142000
Linden520231970
Grangeburg520241969
Castleberry520241966
Carrollton520241994
Stevenson520241998
Epes420241980
Whitehall420241983
Madrid420231994
Lakeview420242000
Borden Springs 2420242001
Talladega420242001
Gastonburg420221996

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 2026-05-22.