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Species · Maryland · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Trend in Maryland

All statesForest birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker in Maryland has surged: up 120% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+120%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 →
76Routes 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 MarylandNotable 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 Maryland: up 120% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Forecast in Maryland

If the recent trend holds, Red-bellied Woodpecker in Maryland is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 16 (95% range 13–18). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±9.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-2%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 →
16Projected 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 →
13–1895% 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 →
±9.5%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 Maryland is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 16 (95% range 13–18). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±9.5%, with 100% 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 →
2025151317
2026151317
2027151318
2028151318
2029161318

Red-bellied Woodpecker Survey Routes in Maryland

Routes recording Red-bellied Woodpecker in Maryland.
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 →
Ijamsville5020241986
Emmitsburg4420241966
Olney3620241966
Potomac Park3120241970
Smithsburg2920141966
Eklo2920181966
Madonna2920222009
Island Creek2820241991
Pleasant Val2620241966
Cokesbury2620241966
Pomonkey2320241966
Pomfret2320241966
Nottingham2220242005
Millington2120241966
Piney Neck2120241966
Wheaton2120241990
Bachman Mill2020241966
Van Bibber2020131966
Jennings1820241996
Wolfsville1720241966
Randallstown1620131966
Forest Grove1620232011
Davidsnville1620241982
Williamsport1520241966
Melitota1520241966

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

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

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