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

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Idaho

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in Idaho has surged: up 166% on the route-weighted index since 1977.

+166%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 →
49YearsYears 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 166% 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 rise about 74% by 2029 — from 0.20 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.35 (95% range 0.07–0.63). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±26.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+74%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 →
0.35Projected 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 →
0.07–0.6395% 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 →
±26.7%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 Idaho is projected to rise about 74% by 2029 — from 0.20 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.35 (95% range 0.07–0.63). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±26.7%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19722029
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 →
20250.340.060.62
20260.340.060.62
20270.340.070.62
20280.350.070.62
20290.350.070.63

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
Mivoden420231977
Lolo Pass320191992
Coolin320241986
Baldy Mountain320162013
Pierce320071993
Grangeville220221986
Golden220161987
Marble Creek220231990
Sunbeam220162009
Cabarton220231985
Sawtooth Cty220051988
Naples120231972
Avery120231983
Nezperce120071985
N Fork Cda R120191993
Cape Horn120141987
Challis119881988
Leadore119791979
Rochat Divde120221997
Centerville120012000
Salmon River120101990
Burgdorf120022000
Cobalt120241990
Yellow Pine120141997

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 2026-05-22.