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Species · Illinois · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Illinois

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in Illinois has surged: up 132% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

+132%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 →
74Routes 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 →
56YearsYears 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 IllinoisNotable 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 Illinois: up 132% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

Pileated Woodpecker Population Forecast in Illinois

If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in Illinois is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 0.63 (95% range 0.39–0.87). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±25.2%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-8%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 →
0.63Projected 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 →
0.39–0.8795% 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 →
±25.2%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 Illinois is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 0.63 (95% range 0.39–0.87). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±25.2%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19692030
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 →
20260.600.360.84
20270.610.370.84
20280.610.380.85
20290.620.380.86
20300.630.390.87

Pileated Woodpecker Survey Routes in Illinois

Routes recording Pileated Woodpecker in Illinois.
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 →
Mascoutah Lk720251978
Delwood620251970
Cave In Rock620241993
Bremen520251970
Sandusky520231993
Athens420251995
St Morgan420221983
Marshall420252015
Eldred420251993
Grape Creek320242013
Belleview320251969
Flora320222015
Royalton320252003
Mill Creek220242013
Gulfport220082007
Janesville220222019
Brnt Prairie220171976
Belknap220251970
Beaverdam Lk220231970
Dudleyville220222008
Karnak220252004
Guilford120192017
Payson120172004
Geneseo120171982
Putnam120142014

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

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

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