BirdAnalyst
Species · Georgia · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Georgia

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in Georgia has surged: up 130% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+130%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 →
110Routes 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 GeorgiaNotable 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 Georgia: up 130% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Pileated Woodpecker Population Forecast in Georgia

If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in Georgia is projected to rise about 25% by 2030 — from 2.5 in 2025 to a central estimate of 3.1 (95% range 2.4–3.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±9.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+25%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 →
3.1Projected 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 →
2.4–3.995% 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 →
±9.3%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 Georgia is projected to rise about 25% by 2030 — from 2.5 in 2025 to a central estimate of 3.1 (95% range 2.4–3.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±9.3%, with 100% 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 →
20263.02.33.8
20273.12.33.8
20283.12.33.8
20293.12.43.9
20303.12.43.9

Pileated Woodpecker Survey Routes in Georgia

Routes recording Pileated Woodpecker in Georgia.
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 →
Baxley1120191967
Council1020252012
Woodbine920242011
Shiloh920252012
Stockton720251977
Jacksonboro720251967
Glenmore720252013
White Hill720252007
Fowlstown620161967
Newton620251975
Linwood620231970
Union620242011
Minter Tweed620252006
Fitzgerald520251967
Guyton519931967
Lincolnton520171966
Rentz520251977
Big Oak520252006
Weber520252006
Curry Hill520192006
Darien420191966
Everett City420191976
Courthouse420241966
Tazewell420251967
Workmore420251978

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

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

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