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Species · South Carolina · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in South Carolina

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in South Carolina has increased: up 48% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+48%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 →
50Routes 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 South CarolinaNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Pileated Woodpecker in South Carolina. See the full index history below.

Pileated Woodpecker Population Forecast in South Carolina

If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in South Carolina is projected to rise about 15% by 2029 — from 2.4 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.7 (95% range 1.7–3.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±24%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+15%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 →
2.7Projected 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 →
1.7–3.895% 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 →
±24%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 South Carolina is projected to rise about 15% by 2029 — from 2.4 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.7 (95% range 1.7–3.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±24%, 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 →
20252.71.63.8
20262.71.63.8
20272.71.63.8
20282.71.63.8
20292.71.73.8

Pileated Woodpecker Survey Routes in South Carolina

Routes recording Pileated Woodpecker in South Carolina.
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 →
Walterboro920171970
Carvers Bay820111998
Rome620241971
Salem Xrd620191982
Green Sea620242010
Plum Branch420241979
New Ellenton420242010
Whitmire420242010
Salem420242010
Kiawah Island420241999
Hardeeville320241967
New Holland320241967
Owings319981992
Kingstree320102010
Greenwood320181998
Pinewood320191998
Battlecreek320241999
Jamestown220191968
Holly Hill220241972
Dillon220191970
Landrum219921974
Nixonville219921988
Campobello220242011
Ridgeway220212010
Bennettsville220171998

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

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

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