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Species · Louisiana · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Louisiana

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in Louisiana has surged: up 189% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+189%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 →
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 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 189% 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 29% by 2030 — from 4.2 in 2025 to a central estimate of 3.0 (95% range 1.8–4.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±40%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-29%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 →
3.0Projected 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 →
1.8–4.295% 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 →
±40%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 29% by 2030 — from 4.2 in 2025 to a central estimate of 3.0 (95% range 1.8–4.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±40%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672030
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 →
20262.91.74.2
20272.91.74.2
20283.01.74.2
20293.01.74.2
20303.01.84.2

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 →
Ramah3120251988
Kraemer1820251997
Atchafalaya1320251989
Franklinton1120252009
Berwick920181987
Shaw720241967
Chatham719751967
Flat Creek720251998
Vinton 2720252011
Fillmore619891968
Derry 2620251990
Tensas Nwr620251987
Bickham520251984
Fishville520171969
Cypress519811969
Greensburg520221988
Trout520251988
Norwood520252004
Goodwill520242005
Plettenberg420221968
Easton419901967
De Ridder420191967
Many419921989
Carterville419921992
Frogmore420251999

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 2026-08-14.