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Species · Massachusetts · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Trend in Massachusetts

All statesForest birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker in Massachusetts has surged: up 24× on the route-weighted index since 1997.

24×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 →
30YearsYears 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 24× 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 2030, near 8.2 (95% range 7.3–9.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±8.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+8%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 →
8.2Projected 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 →
7.3–9.295% 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 →
±8.8%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 2030, near 8.2 (95% range 7.3–9.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±8.8%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19932030
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 →
20267.36.38.2
20277.56.68.5
20287.86.88.7
20298.07.08.9
20308.27.39.2

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 →
Belchertown2520251996
Brockton1820192001
Marion1520252002
N Oxford1220252004
Littleton1020251996
Wellfleet 2920252016
N Orange820252006
N. Andover820252000
E Dennis720211998
Gay Head720251996
S Barre620252002
Monterey620252019
Newburyport520221993
Holden420251998
Warren 2420252010
Mansfield320251999
Pittsfield320162016
Prattville220191996
Maynard220251997
Warren220091999
Chesterfield220252005
Sheffield220221997
Ware River120222012
Cummington120122011
Cummington 2120252015

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 2026-08-14.