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

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in West Virginia has risen sharply: up 62% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+62%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 →
63Routes 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 West VirginiaNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

long arc increasecomputed indexTrend sourceWhether the figure is our own computed route-weighted index or an official USGS modeled estimate. The current build labels every trend as computed.Full methodology →

Pileated Woodpecker has risen sharply in West Virginia: up 62% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Pileated Woodpecker Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Pileated Woodpecker in West Virginia is projected to rise about 92% by 2029 — from 1.9 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.7 (95% range 2.3–5.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±45.2%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+92%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 →
3.7Projected 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 →
2.3–5.095% 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 →
±45.2%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 West Virginia is projected to rise about 92% by 2029 — from 1.9 in 2024 to a central estimate of 3.7 (95% range 2.3–5.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±45.2%, with 40% 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 →
20253.62.24.9
20263.62.24.9
20273.62.35.0
20283.72.35.0
20293.72.35.0

Pileated Woodpecker Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Pileated Woodpecker in West Virginia.
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 →
Clinton1520241966
Stollings1120211986
Shanghai1020221999
Pedro920231979
Rio819951974
Denmar620241980
Glade Run620021995
Welch520221992
Sleepy Creek519901966
Pt Pleasant420231977
Valley Head420231970
Green Bank420231977
Yellow Spg420231972
Bowden420241993
Lost River420231996
Hix320241970
Bramwell320221980
Ghent320241981
Hanover320241989
Nicut320231986
Cedarville320191983
Mo Of Seneca320241969
Slate320241980
Moundsville320221972
Greer320231970

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansascaliforniaconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaidahoillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomaoregonpennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawashingtonwisconsin

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