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

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Indiana

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in Indiana has surged: up 176% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+176%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 →
54Routes 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 IndianaNotable 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 Indiana: up 176% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Pileated Woodpecker Population Forecast in Indiana

If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in Indiana is projected to rise about 23% by 2029 — from 1.4 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.7 (95% range 0.82–2.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±42.3%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+23%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 →
1.7Projected 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 →
0.82–2.595% 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 →
±42.3%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 Indiana is projected to rise about 23% by 2029 — from 1.4 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.7 (95% range 0.82–2.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±42.3%, with 100% 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 →
20251.60.732.5
20261.60.762.5
20271.60.782.5
20281.70.802.5
20291.70.822.5

Pileated Woodpecker Survey Routes in Indiana

Routes recording Pileated Woodpecker in Indiana.
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 →
Hoosier1420241990
Azalia620241982
New Phila620241982
Wabash520242011
Wallace420241999
Maplewood320182017
Belmont320241981
Spencer320241973
Shelbyville320221983
Brookville320241989
Indian Spgs320241982
Clear Spring320241981
Packertown 2320242006
Galveston220242000
Berne220232016
Cumback220211966
Corydon220241966
Evansville220131969
Hebron120222022
Knox120241995
Kewanna119971997
Middlebury120242019
Indiana Dune120242002
Ellis120222019
Fowler120092009

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

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

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