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

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Minnesota

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in Minnesota has surged: up 881% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+881%Since 1969
75Routes In State
57Years

Notable Pileated Woodpecker Trends in Minnesota

long arc increasecomputed index

Pileated Woodpecker has surged in Minnesota: up 881% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Pileated Woodpecker Population Forecast in Minnesota

If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in Minnesota is projected to fall about 17% by 2029 — from 1.7 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.4 (95% range 1.0–1.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±17%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-17%Change by 2029
1.4Projected 2029 index
1.0–1.895% range
±17%Backtest error
19672029
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
20251.30.921.7
20261.30.941.7
20271.40.961.7
20281.40.981.8
20291.41.01.8

Pileated Woodpecker Survey Routes in Minnesota

Routes recording Pileated Woodpecker in Minnesota.
Crane Lake1420241970
Chisholm1120242019
Hovland820241974
Blackduck820222004
Sawbill Camp620241993
Sherry Lake520221989
Waskish520181982
Pine River420241977
Lockport420241986
Debs420241970
Nett Lake420242013
Chatfield 2420242010
Chatfield319961974
Nebish320221982
Backus320241968
Edwards320241986
Hart Lake320231968
Mahtowa320231993
Brainerd320241994
Money Creek220181967
Sherburne Nr220241991
Tamarac Nwr220231991
Whitewater220001995
Wigwam Bay220211975
Evergreen220241970

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

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

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