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Species · New Hampshire · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in New Hampshire

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in New Hampshire has surged: up 17× on the route-weighted index since 1968.

17×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 →
25Routes 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 New HampshireNotable 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 New Hampshire: up 17× on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Pileated Woodpecker Population Forecast in New Hampshire

If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in New Hampshire is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 2.2 (95% range 1.7–2.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±6.9%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+7%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 →
2.2Projected 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 →
1.7–2.895% 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 →
±6.9%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 New Hampshire is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 2.2 (95% range 1.7–2.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±6.9%, with 100% 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 →
20252.11.52.7
20262.11.62.7
20272.21.62.7
20282.21.62.8
20292.21.72.8

Pileated Woodpecker Survey Routes in New Hampshire

Routes recording Pileated Woodpecker in New Hampshire.
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 →
Strafford620241969
Wilmot520241967
Marlow520241967
Jefferson Hl520241967
Dover420241973
Epsom420231969
Clarksville420241977
Concord320241982
Lempster320241988
Peterborough220231971
Fitzwilliam220241970
Hopkinton220231968
Canterbury220241979
Walpole220231975
Stratford220211980
Dixville Notch 2220242021
Gilmantn I W120241976
Mt Chocorua120241970
Crawford Not119751967
Franconia120241966
Milan120241966
Dixvil Notch120161967
Glen120231979
East Kingston120242000
Jeffers Ntch120211994

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansascaliforniaconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsin

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