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Species · Florida · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Florida

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in Florida has surged: up 199% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+199%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 →
113Routes 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 FloridaNotable 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 Florida: up 199% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Pileated Woodpecker Population Forecast in Florida

If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in Florida is projected to fall about 11% by 2029 — from 4.2 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.7 (95% range 2.9–4.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±12.4%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-11%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 →
3.7Projected 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 →
2.9–4.495% 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 →
±12.4%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 Florida is projected to fall about 11% by 2029 — from 4.2 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.7 (95% range 2.9–4.4). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±12.4%, with 60% 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 →
20253.52.84.3
20263.62.84.3
20273.62.94.4
20283.72.94.4
20293.72.94.4

Pileated Woodpecker Survey Routes in Florida

Routes recording Pileated Woodpecker in Florida.
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 →
Mt. Olive1720242002
Hixtown Swmp1520241987
Croom1220241988
Island Grove1020241992
Hilliard920241967
Pinecrest920241966
Seminole Hills 2920222002
Bloxham820221988
Hildreth 2820242010
Sanderson 2820242022
Covington720211966
Steinhatchee720231966
St Augustine720241967
Scottsmoor720241969
Kenansville720241971
Deanville720191987
Sebastian719921987
Osceola720241991
Port St Joe620111974
Pinetta620241987
Nobleton620241987
St Lucie620241987
Green Swamp620241988
Ridge Harbor620241991
Olustee620221992

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

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

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