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Species · Massachusetts · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Massachusetts

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in Massachusetts has surged: up 14× on the route-weighted index since 1971.

14×Since 1971
24Routes In State
53Years

Notable Pileated Woodpecker Trends in Massachusetts

long arc increasecomputed index

Pileated Woodpecker has surged in Massachusetts: up 14× on the route-weighted index since 1971.

Pileated Woodpecker Population Forecast in Massachusetts

If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in Massachusetts is projected to fall about 10% by 2029 — from 1.3 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.2 (95% range 0.70–1.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±12.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-10%Change by 2029
1.2Projected 2029 index
0.70–1.795% range
±12.8%Backtest error
19692029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected index95% low95% high
20251.10.611.6
20261.10.641.6
20271.10.661.6
20281.20.681.7
20291.20.701.7

Pileated Woodpecker Survey Routes in Massachusetts

Routes recording Pileated Woodpecker in Massachusetts.
Cummington420131972
Chesterfield420241970
Cummington 2420242015
Hancock420152001
N Orange320241973
Holden320241991
Newburyport220132013
Warren220071973
Pittsfield220161974
Warren 2220242011
Marion120212019
Ware River120221993
Prattville120192015
Maynard120221969
Littleton120221990
N Oxford120141995
Princeton119731973
E Pepperell119701970
Belchertown120241982
S Barre120241994
Cheshire119941971
Sheffield120121980
Monterey120242019
N. Andover120242017

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

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

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