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

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Washington

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in Washington has increased: up 39% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+39%Since 1970TrendPercent 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 →
71Routes 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 →
56YearsYears 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 WashingtonNotable 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 Washington. See the full index history below.

Pileated Woodpecker Population Forecast in Washington

If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in Washington is projected to fall about 34% by 2029 — from 0.98 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.64 (95% range 0.33–0.96). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±25.3%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-34%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 →
0.64Projected 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 →
0.33–0.9695% 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 →
±25.3%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 Washington is projected to fall about 34% by 2029 — from 0.98 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.64 (95% range 0.33–0.96). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±25.3%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19682029
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 →
20250.620.310.93
20260.630.320.94
20270.630.320.94
20280.640.330.95
20290.640.330.96

Pileated Woodpecker Survey Routes in Washington

Routes recording Pileated Woodpecker in Washington.
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 →
Chewelah520161983
Omak Creek520241996
Taholah420221970
Rimrock420241969
Snowden420241981
Sullivan Lake 2420242001
Glacier320241987
Spring Lake320241985
Deception320181996
Mt. Adams320241993
Montesand220241988
Mendota 2219971990
No Cascades220131993
Bunker Hill220241978
Vashon Is.220221996
L Pend O Nwr220241997
E. Mt. Adams220241996
Winthrop220221985
Cusick220241982
Ronald220241975
Leavenworth220241995
Cedar Falls220141993
Bay View220052005
Northport220241997
Cloverland220242005

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

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

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