Species · North Carolina · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024
Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in North Carolina
Pileated Woodpecker in North Carolina has surged: up 198% on the route-weighted index since 1968.
+198%Since 1968
108Routes In State
58Years
Notable Pileated Woodpecker Trends in North Carolina
long arc increasecomputed index
Pileated Woodpecker has surged in North Carolina: up 198% on the route-weighted index since 1968.
Pileated Woodpecker Population Forecast in North Carolina
If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in North Carolina is projected to rise about 26% by 2029 — from 2.8 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.5 (95% range 2.2–4.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±28.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.
+26%Change by 2029
3.5Projected 2029 index
2.2–4.995% range
±28.1%Backtest error
| Year | Projected index | 95% low | 95% high |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3.4 | 2.1 | 4.8 |
| 2026 | 3.4 | 2.1 | 4.8 |
| 2027 | 3.5 | 2.1 | 4.8 |
| 2028 | 3.5 | 2.2 | 4.9 |
| 2029 | 3.5 | 2.2 | 4.9 |
Pileated Woodpecker Survey Routes in North Carolina
| Milltail Cr | 20 | 2024 | 1992 |
| Mashoes | 12 | 1982 | 1971 |
| Beargrass | 10 | 1981 | 1966 |
| Fontana | 10 | 2024 | 1968 |
| Speed | 7 | 2024 | 1966 |
| Arcola | 7 | 2024 | 1972 |
| Call | 7 | 2024 | 1971 |
| Gupton | 7 | 2024 | 2001 |
| Chowan River | 7 | 2006 | 2002 |
| Grandy | 6 | 1975 | 1971 |
| Maple Hill | 6 | 2023 | 1995 |
| Broad Creek | 6 | 2024 | 1993 |
| Saxapahaw | 5 | 2023 | 1969 |
| Cullowhee | 5 | 2024 | 1979 |
| Pinetops | 5 | 2024 | 1999 |
| Murphy | 5 | 2024 | 1996 |
| Bethel | 5 | 2023 | 2002 |
| Raeford | 5 | 2024 | 1990 |
| Uwharrie Nf | 5 | 2001 | 1996 |
| N. Mills Riv | 5 | 1995 | 1994 |
| Green Swamp | 5 | 2006 | 2002 |
| Merrimon | 4 | 2023 | 1968 |
| Arapahoe | 4 | 1994 | 1966 |
| Climax | 4 | 2022 | 1969 |
| Youngsville | 4 | 2024 | 1966 |
Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States
alabamaarkansascaliforniaconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsin
Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.