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

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Virginia

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in Virginia has surged: up 193% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+193%Since 1968
87Routes In State
58Years

Notable Pileated Woodpecker Trends in Virginia

long arc increasecomputed index

Pileated Woodpecker has surged in Virginia: up 193% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Pileated Woodpecker Population Forecast in Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in Virginia is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 3.7 (95% range 2.6–4.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±16.1%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+10%Change by 2029
3.7Projected 2029 index
2.6–4.795% range
±16.1%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
20253.52.54.6
20263.62.54.6
20273.62.54.7
20283.62.64.7
20293.72.64.7

Pileated Woodpecker Survey Routes in Virginia

Routes recording Pileated Woodpecker in Virginia.
Front Royal1420241993
Cornland1020141975
Shipman920241970
Douthat920141992
Newsoms820241978
Pine Mtn.820241996
Iron Mountain 2820132012
Jerome720231971
Gladys720241994
Nat Tunnel720241983
Potts Mtn.720131992
W Augusta620241967
Irisburg620241979
Rural Retrt620241982
Iron Mountain 3620232014
Covington520241966
Big Island520241968
Saltville520241972
Gr North Mtn520241993
Glenwood520231992
Walkers520231992
Mannboro420241969
Brodnax420241973
Newville420241988
New Market420241992

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

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

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