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

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Maine

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in Maine has surged: up 113% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+113%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 →
75Routes 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 MaineNotable 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 Maine: up 113% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Pileated Woodpecker Population Forecast in Maine

If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in Maine is projected to rise about 28% by 2029 — from 1.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.2 (95% range 1.5–3.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±34.3%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+28%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 →
2.2Projected 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 →
1.5–3.095% 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 →
±34.3%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 Maine is projected to rise about 28% by 2029 — from 1.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.2 (95% range 1.5–3.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±34.3%, with 80% 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 →
20252.11.42.8
20262.11.42.9
20272.21.42.9
20282.21.52.9
20292.21.53.0

Pileated Woodpecker Survey Routes in Maine

Routes recording Pileated Woodpecker in Maine.
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 →
Pillsbury Pd1119681968
Priestly Br.820131994
Eastbrook720241979
Telos720061995
Brooks620191983
Heron Lake620031983
Carrying Pl520241992
Greenville520221976
Newcastle420101987
Cooper420211975
Northfield419811977
Carrabassett420241983
Charleston420191977
Yankeetuladi420091996
Andover420212010
Wilson Mills320241983
Bethel320191988
Turner320101986
Greenwood320241966
Hartford320241981
Seboomook Lk320141972
Wytopitlock319981976
Hudson320161975
Forest Sta320001966
Baker Lake 2320132010

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

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

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