BirdAnalyst
Species · Ohio · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Trend in Ohio

All statesForest birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker in Ohio has surged: up 334% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+334%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 →
88Routes 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 OhioNotable 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 Ohio: up 334% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Forecast in Ohio

If the recent trend holds, Red-bellied Woodpecker in Ohio is projected to rise about 11% by 2029 — from 8.5 in 2024 to a central estimate of 9.4 (95% range 7.7–11). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±14.4%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+11%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 →
9.4Projected 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 →
7.7–1195% 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 →
±14.4%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 Ohio is projected to rise about 11% by 2029 — from 8.5 in 2024 to a central estimate of 9.4 (95% range 7.7–11). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±14.4%, with 60% 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 →
20258.87.111
20269.07.211
20279.17.411
20289.27.511
20299.47.711

Red-bellied Woodpecker Survey Routes in Ohio

Routes recording Red-bellied Woodpecker in Ohio.
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 →
Hiram2520211992
Dresden2020241966
Harveysburg1919961966
Tick Ridge1920191993
Bloomville1720241992
Lattasburg1720241966
Stonecreek1720241996
Hebron1420241966
Birmingham1420241988
Enon1420241984
Keene1420231992
Petersburg1320071996
Bolins Mills1220241966
Harveysburg 21220241997
Pittsfield1120241992
Newcomerstwn1119951966
Cuba1120241992
Omega1120241966
Pomeroy1120221966
Wayne N.F.1120241992
Pike S.F.1120131992
Kunkle1020241993
Valley City1020241995
Meadowbrook920211966
Smithfield920241966

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansasconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaoklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsin

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