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Species · West Virginia · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesForest birds

Pileated Woodpecker in West Virginia has risen sharply: up 52% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+52%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 →
64Routes 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 →
59YearsYears 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 52% 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 67% by 2030 — from 2.2 in 2025 to a central estimate of 3.6 (95% range 2.2–5.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±61.9%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+67%Change by 2030TrendPercent 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 →
3.6Projected 2030 indexProjected indexThe central forecast of the abundance index if the recent trend continues. A projection of the current trajectory, not a prediction.Full methodology →
2.2–5.095% 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 →
±61.9%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 67% by 2030 — from 2.2 in 2025 to a central estimate of 3.6 (95% range 2.2–5.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±61.9%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19662030
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 →
20263.52.14.9
20273.52.14.9
20283.52.24.9
20293.62.25.0
20303.62.25.0

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 →
Stollings1120211986
Welch820251992
Bebee820251972
Rio819951974
Hix720251970
Glade Run620021995
Pedro520251979
Strange Crk520251982
Sleepy Creek519901966
Ghent420251981
Valley Head420231970
Yellow Spg420231972
Ruthbelle420251978
Ringgold420252025
Bowden420251993
Lost River420251996
Hanover320251989
Cedarville320191983
Mo Of Seneca320241969
Moundsville320251972
Greer320231970
Pt Pleasant220251977
Hubbardstown220251966
Nicut220251986
Olcott220231966

Pileated Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

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

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.