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Species · Maryland · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Trend in Maryland

All statesForest birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker in Maryland has surged: up 121% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+121%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 →
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 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 121% 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 2030, near 16 (95% range 13–18). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±10.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-0%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 →
16Projected 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 →
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 →
±10.1%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 2030, near 16 (95% range 13–18). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±10.1%, with 100% 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 →
2026151317
2027151318
2028151318
2029161318
2030161318

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 →
Emmitsburg3420251966
Olney3320251966
Wheaton3120251990
Smithsburg2920141966
Eklo2920181966
Madonna2920222009
Bachman Mill2520251966
Honga2520251966
Ijamsville2520251986
Cokesbury2420251966
Nottingham2420252005
Pomfret2320241966
Millington2120251966
Vienna2120251966
Pleasant Val2020251966
Van Bibber2020131966
Oldtown1920251970
Williamsport1820251966
Melitota1820251966
Green Ridge1820251995
Island Creek1820251991
Pomonkey1720251966
Piney Grove1720251995
Randallstown1620131966
Forest Grove1620232011

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 2026-08-14.