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

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Tennessee

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in Tennessee has risen sharply: up 56% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+56%Since 1968
55Routes In State
58Years

Notable Pileated Woodpecker Trends in Tennessee

long arc increasecomputed index

Pileated Woodpecker has risen sharply in Tennessee: up 56% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Pileated Woodpecker Population Forecast in Tennessee

If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in Tennessee is projected to rise about 74% by 2029 — from 2.0 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.6 (95% range 2.6–4.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±39.3%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+74%Change by 2029
3.6Projected 2029 index
2.6–4.595% range
±39.3%Backtest error
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 index95% low95% high
20253.42.54.4
20263.52.54.4
20273.52.54.4
20283.52.64.5
20293.62.64.5

Pileated Woodpecker Survey Routes in Tennessee

Routes recording Pileated Woodpecker in Tennessee.
Trace Lewis920172013
Big Sandy620241966
Sweetlips620231973
Indian Mound619911966
Collinwood620241966
Tullahoma520141967
Signal Mtn420241979
Jasper420241970
Fish Springs420231966
Mecca420231994
Mansfield320241979
Silerton320241971
Pond Creek320231966
Wrigley320221966
Union Hill320241967
Elk Valley320221970
Oliver Spgs320221966
Walland319891966
Allens Brdge320231966
Willis Sprng320231994
Cades Cove320241989
Trace Collinwood320182016
Indian Mound 2320232004
Pawpaw220121967
Petersburg220131966

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansascaliforniaconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatexasvermontvirginiawashingtonwest-virginiawisconsin

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