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

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Delaware

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in Delaware has surged: up 42× on the route-weighted index since 1971.

42×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 →
15Routes 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 →
39YearsYears 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 DelawareNotable 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 Delaware: up 42× on the route-weighted index since 1971.

Pileated Woodpecker Population Forecast in Delaware

If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in Delaware is projected to fall about 19% by 2029 — from 4.0 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.2 (95% range 0.32–6.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±58.7%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-19%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 →
3.2Projected 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 →
0.32–6.295% 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 →
±58.7%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, Pileated Woodpecker in Delaware is projected to fall about 19% by 2029 — from 4.0 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.2 (95% range 0.32–6.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±58.7%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672029
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 →
20252.90.035.9
20263.00.105.9
20273.10.176.0
20283.20.256.1
20293.20.326.2

Pileated Woodpecker Survey Routes in Delaware

Routes recording Pileated Woodpecker in Delaware.
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 →
Milton 21120172017
Pepperbox720161998
Pepperbox 2720242017
Harrington620242000
Millsboro620242017
Milton420142002
Blackbird220222008
Georgetown220211992
Mt Pleasant120132006
Wilmington120102010
Frederica120131971
Frankford120071970
Holleyville120041967
Lowes Xrds119861971
Holleyville 2120242009

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

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

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