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Species · Louisiana · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Louisiana

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in Louisiana has surged: up 198% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+198%Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
84Routes 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 →
57YearsYears 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 LouisianaNotable 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 Louisiana: up 198% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Pileated Woodpecker Population Forecast in Louisiana

If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in Louisiana is projected to fall about 34% by 2029 — from 4.3 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.9 (95% range 1.7–4.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±31%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-34%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 →
2.9Projected 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 →
1.7–4.195% 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 →
±31%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 Louisiana is projected to fall about 34% by 2029 — from 4.3 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.9 (95% range 1.7–4.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±31%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672029
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 →
20252.81.64.0
20262.81.64.0
20272.81.64.0
20282.81.64.0
20292.91.74.1

Pileated Woodpecker Survey Routes in Louisiana

Routes recording Pileated Woodpecker in Louisiana.
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 →
Ramah3020241988
Kraemer2720241997
Atchafalaya1220241989
Tensas Nwr1020241987
Flat Creek920241998
Womack920241999
Berwick920181987
Shaw720241967
Chatham719751967
Mount Union720241998
Fillmore619891968
Fishville520171969
Cypress519811969
Greensburg520221988
Goodwill520242005
Enterprise520242006
Bickham420241984
Plettenberg420221968
Easton419901967
De Ridder420191967
Many419921989
Carterville419921992
Derry 2420231990
Cheniere420241984
Natchez420241992

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

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

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