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Species · West Virginia · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesForest birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker in West Virginia has surged: up 306% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+306%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 →
64Routes 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 West VirginiaNotable 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 West Virginia: up 306% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Red-bellied Woodpecker in West Virginia is projected to rise about 21% by 2030 — from 6.4 in 2025 to a central estimate of 7.7 (95% range 5.7–9.7). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±10.1%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+21%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 →
7.7Projected 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 →
5.7–9.795% 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 West Virginia is projected to rise about 21% by 2030 — from 6.4 in 2025 to a central estimate of 7.7 (95% range 5.7–9.7). 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 →
20267.25.39.2
20277.35.49.3
20287.55.59.4
20297.65.69.5
20307.75.79.7

Red-bellied Woodpecker Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Red-bellied Woodpecker in West Virginia.
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 →
Martinsburg1820251966
Bebee1620251972
Smoot1520251980
Hix1420251972
Pt Pleasant1320251973
Slate1220251981
Ringgold1220252025
Lost River1220251997
Henderson1220232002
Hubbardstown1120251967
Nicut1020251986
Pedro920251986
Dailey920251975
Sleepy Creek919901966
Three Forks820251976
Sugar Grove820251966
Monongah820221966
Clinton820251966
Clear Creek720251988
Spencer720241986
Valley Head720251966
Mo Of Seneca720251969
Mcdonald720231987
Meadowville720251975
Meadland620251997

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansasconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawisconsin

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