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

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Idaho

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in Idaho has surged: up 281% on the route-weighted index since 1977.

+281%Since 1977TrendPercent 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 →
27Routes 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 →
50YearsYears 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 IdahoNotable 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 Idaho: up 281% on the route-weighted index since 1977.

Pileated Woodpecker Population Forecast in Idaho

If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in Idaho is projected to fall about 27% by 2030 — from 0.51 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.37 (95% range 0.10–0.65). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±14.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-27%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 →
0.37Projected 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 →
0.10–0.6595% 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 →
±14.9%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 Idaho is projected to fall about 27% by 2030 — from 0.51 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.37 (95% range 0.10–0.65). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±14.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19722030
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 →
20260.360.090.64
20270.360.090.64
20280.370.090.64
20290.370.100.65
20300.370.100.65

Pileated Woodpecker Survey Routes in Idaho

Routes recording Pileated Woodpecker in Idaho.
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 →
Cascade519841983
Coolin520251986
Lolo Pass320191992
Grangeville320251986
Baldy Mountain320162013
Pierce320071993
Avery220251983
Golden220161987
Challis220251988
Marble Creek220251990
Cabarton220231985
Sawtooth Cty220051988
Naples120251972
Mivoden120241977
Nezperce120071985
N Fork Cda R120191993
Cape Horn120141987
Leadore119791979
Rochat Divde120251997
Centerville120012000
Salmon River120101990
Burgdorf120022000
Cobalt120251990
Yellow Pine120141997
Sunbeam120252009

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

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

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