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Species · Nebraska · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Trend in Nebraska

All statesForest birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker in Nebraska has surged: up 509% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+509%Since 1970TrendPercent 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 →
41Routes 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 →
56YearsYears 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 NebraskaNotable 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 Nebraska: up 509% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Forecast in Nebraska

If the recent trend holds, Red-bellied Woodpecker in Nebraska is projected to rise about 18% by 2030 — from 1.2 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.4 (95% range 0.93–1.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±20.6%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+18%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 →
1.4Projected 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 →
0.93–1.895% 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 →
±20.6%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 Nebraska is projected to rise about 18% by 2030 — from 1.2 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.4 (95% range 0.93–1.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±20.6%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672030
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 →
20261.30.841.7
20271.30.861.8
20281.30.881.8
20291.40.901.8
20301.40.931.8

Red-bellied Woodpecker Survey Routes in Nebraska

Routes recording Red-bellied Woodpecker in Nebraska.
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 →
Humboldt2220252018
Tilden820252019
Murdock620252018
Johnson520251993
Liberty520031967
Julian420251969
Bartley420251980
Petersburg419951995
Liberty 2420072004
Seward320251969
Pine Ridge320222022
Irvington320251972
Eagle Creek320221976
Ponca320252025
Sumner220071987
Gretna220181977
Almeria220211991
Thurston220251967
Midway220251987
Brownlee220092009
Wheeler Co220242000
Belvidere120252007
Kenesaw120242024
Kearney120251987
Stratton120242015

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

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

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14.