BirdAnalyst
Species · West Virginia · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesForest birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker in West Virginia has surged: up 304% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+304%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 →
63Routes 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 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 304% 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 20% by 2029 — from 6.4 in 2024 to a central estimate of 7.6 (95% range 5.7–9.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±10.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+20%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 →
7.6Projected 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 →
5.7–9.695% 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 →
±10.5%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 20% by 2029 — from 6.4 in 2024 to a central estimate of 7.6 (95% range 5.7–9.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±10.5%, with 100% 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 →
20257.25.29.1
20267.35.39.3
20277.45.49.4
20287.55.59.5
20297.65.79.6

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 →
Shanghai2020221995
Clinton1920241966
Hix1620241972
Slate1420241981
Sugar Grove1320241966
Hubbardstown1220231967
Henderson1220232002
Mo Of Seneca1120241969
Smoot1020241980
Pt Pleasant1020231973
Bebee1020241972
Smithfield1020241993
Martinsburg1020241966
Spencer920231986
Meadland920241997
Three Forks920241976
Sleepy Creek919901966
Ruthbelle920241986
Monongah820221966
Ghent720241982
Clear Creek720241988
Clendenin720241979
Sutton720241976
Strange Crk720241982
Moundsville720241972

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 2026-05-22.