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Species · Iowa · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Trend in Iowa

All statesForest birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker in Iowa has surged: up 146% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+146%Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
39Routes 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 Red-bellied Woodpecker Trends in IowaNotable 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 →

Red-bellied Woodpecker has surged in Iowa: up 146% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Forecast in Iowa

If the recent trend holds, Red-bellied Woodpecker in Iowa is projected to rise about 37% by 2030 — from 2.1 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.9 (95% range 2.0–3.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±29.2%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+37%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 →
2.9Projected 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 →
2.0–3.795% 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 →
±29.2%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, Red-bellied Woodpecker in Iowa is projected to rise about 37% by 2030 — from 2.1 in 2025 to a central estimate of 2.9 (95% range 2.0–3.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±29.2%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672030
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 →
20262.71.93.5
20272.71.93.6
20282.81.93.6
20292.82.03.7
20302.92.03.7

Red-bellied Woodpecker Survey Routes in Iowa

Routes recording Red-bellied Woodpecker in Iowa.
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 →
Red Rock720251968
College Spgs 2720252005
Mt Hamill620251967
College Spgs620041967
Hudson520221969
Exline420251974
Bedford420251968
Bryant420251979
Panther420251967
Wales420251967
Alice419991975
Washta420251979
Davis Corner320251973
Melrose220251974
Washington220251967
Maquoketa220251967
Festina220251968
Titonka220251974
Gaza219771977
Rock Valley220191973
Tipton220241999
Mccallsburg220241996
West Liberty120251968
Cedar Valley119961968
Brooklyn120251975

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansasconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsin

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