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

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Trend in Iowa

All statesForest birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker in Iowa has surged: up 163% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+163%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 →
57YearsYears 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 163% 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 54% by 2029 — from 1.9 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.9 (95% range 2.0–3.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±25%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+54%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 →
2.9Projected 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 →
2.0–3.795% 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 →
±25%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 54% by 2029 — from 1.9 in 2024 to a central estimate of 2.9 (95% range 2.0–3.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±25%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672029
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 →
20252.71.93.5
20262.71.93.6
20272.81.93.6
20282.82.03.7
20292.92.03.7

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 →
Mt Hamill920241967
Panther820241967
College Spgs620041967
Red Rock520241968
Hudson520221969
Alice419991975
Davis Corner420231973
Exline320241974
Brooklyn320221975
Scranton320232008
Washta320141979
Melrose220241974
Bedford220181968
West Liberty220241968
Wales220181967
Dinsdale220051968
Festina220241968
Gaza219771977
Rock Valley220191973
College Spgs 2220232005
Tipton220241999
Mccallsburg220241996
Bryant120241979
Cedar Valley119961968
Williamsburg120231973

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 2026-05-22.