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Species · Montana · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Montana

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in Montana has surged: up 96% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

+96%Since 1971TrendPercent 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 →
30Routes 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 →
52YearsYears 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 MontanaNotable 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 Montana: up 96% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

Pileated Woodpecker Population Forecast in Montana

If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in Montana is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.23 (95% range 0.11–0.34). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±32%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+1%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 →
0.23Projected 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 →
0.11–0.3495% 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 →
±32%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 Montana is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.23 (95% range 0.11–0.34). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±32%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.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 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 →
20250.220.100.33
20260.220.100.34
20270.220.100.34
20280.220.110.34
20290.230.110.34

Pileated Woodpecker Survey Routes in Montana

Routes recording Pileated Woodpecker in Montana.
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 →
Whitefish Lake620242016
Arlee420131972
Clinton320241991
Swan Lake320242015
Libby Dam220111983
St Regis220241977
Sula220241987
Greenoagh 3220212016
Ninemile220181993
Philipsburg220162016
Kalispell120211980
St Mary120081982
Logan Pass120241980
Victor120221993
Threemile Wa120231993
Cramer Creek120191995
Greenough119991996
Elevation Mt120211996
Woodman120231969
Elliston120121990
Inside Road120241990
Chestnut120232023
East Glacier Park120192015
Skalkho-Rye120221999
Greenoagh 2120112008

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

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

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