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Species · Maryland · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

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 →
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 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 fall about 21% by 2029 — from 4.5 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.6 (95% range 2.7–4.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±23.9%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-21%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 →
3.6Projected 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 →
2.7–4.595% 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 →
±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 fall about 21% by 2029 — from 4.5 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.6 (95% range 2.7–4.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±23.9%, with 40% 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 →
20253.42.44.3
20263.42.54.3
20273.52.64.4
20283.52.64.5
20293.62.74.5

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 →
Cokesbury1220241966
Oldtown1120241971
Honga1020241968
Finzel1020241995
Furnace Town920242015
Eklo820181975
Berlin820241980
Madison820241971
Piney Grove820241995
Ijamsville820241987
Island Creek820241991
Olney720241978
Millington720241995
Jennings720241995
Madonna720222011
Green Ridge620241995
Williamsport520241971
Wolfsville520241967
Pomfret520241969
Melitota520242005
Piney Neck520241999
Accident 2520242018
Earlton520242014
Davidsnville420241982
Nottingham420242005

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 2026-05-22.