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Species · Massachusetts · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Trend in Massachusetts

All statesForest birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker in Massachusetts has surged: up 22× on the route-weighted index since 1997.

22×Since 1997TrendPercent 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 →
26Routes 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 →
29YearsYears 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 MassachusettsNotable 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 Massachusetts: up 22× on the route-weighted index since 1997.

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Forecast in Massachusetts

If the recent trend holds, Red-bellied Woodpecker in Massachusetts is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 7.9 (95% range 7.0–8.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±7.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+9%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 →
7.9Projected 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 →
7.0–8.895% 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 →
±7.1%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 Massachusetts is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 7.9 (95% range 7.0–8.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±7.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19932029
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 →
20256.96.07.9
20267.26.28.1
20277.46.58.4
20287.76.78.6
20297.97.08.8

Red-bellied Woodpecker Survey Routes in Massachusetts

Routes recording Red-bellied Woodpecker in Massachusetts.
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 →
Brockton1820192001
S Barre1720242002
Maynard1420221997
Littleton1420241996
Marion1320242002
Belchertown1220241996
N. Andover1120242000
N Orange820242006
E Dennis720211998
Monterey720242019
Holden720241998
N Oxford620242004
Newburyport520221993
Chesterfield520242005
Wellfleet 2420242016
Pittsfield320162016
Warren 2320242010
Prattville220191996
Warren220091999
Sheffield220221997
Cummington 2220232015
Ware River120222012
Mansfield120241999
Cummington120122011
Gay Head120241996

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

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

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