BirdAnalyst
Species · Maryland · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Maryland

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in Maryland has surged: up 20× on the route-weighted index since 1968.

20×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 →
72Routes 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 →
59YearsYears 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 MarylandNotable 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 Maryland: up 20× on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Pileated Woodpecker Population Forecast in Maryland

If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in Maryland is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 3.7 (95% range 2.8–4.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±23.9%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-7%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 →
3.7Projected 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 →
2.8–4.695% 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 →
±23.9%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 Maryland is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 3.7 (95% range 2.8–4.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±23.9%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
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 →
20263.52.54.4
20273.52.64.5
20283.62.74.5
20293.62.74.6
20303.72.84.6

Pileated Woodpecker Survey Routes in Maryland

Routes recording Pileated Woodpecker in Maryland.
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 →
Cokesbury1520251966
Nottingham1320252005
Island Creek1320251991
Oldtown1020251971
Honga920251968
Eklo820181975
Furnace Town720252015
Madonna720222011
Olney620251978
Wheaton620251990
Davidsnville620251982
Pomfret520241969
Melitota520252005
Madison520251971
Jennings520251995
Green Ridge520251995
Ijamsville520251987
Earlton520242014
Floyd420251971
Wolfsville420251967
Berlin420251980
Finzel420251995
Pt Republic319891984
Millington320251995
Matthews320251973

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

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

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