BirdAnalyst
Species · Wisconsin · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Trend in Wisconsin

All statesForest birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker in Wisconsin has surged: up 761% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+761%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 →
93Routes 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 WisconsinNotable 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 Wisconsin: up 760% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Forecast in Wisconsin

If the recent trend holds, Red-bellied Woodpecker in Wisconsin is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 4.3 (95% range 3.4–5.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±29.6%, with 0% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-10%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 →
4.3Projected 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 →
3.4–5.295% 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 →
±29.6%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 Wisconsin is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 4.3 (95% range 3.4–5.2). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±29.6%, with 0% 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 →
20264.03.14.9
20274.13.25.0
20284.23.35.1
20294.33.35.2
20304.33.45.2

Red-bellied Woodpecker Survey Routes in Wisconsin

Routes recording Red-bellied Woodpecker in Wisconsin.
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 →
Paris2220251972
Fall River2120251967
Raymond2020251981
Viroqua1820241968
River Falls1820251998
N Andover1720251967
Wiota1620251966
Esdaile1520251966
N Freedom1520251966
Mukwonago 21520252005
Meridean1420241998
Hazel Green1220251966
Clintonville1120251977
Cochrane920251966
Princeton920241972
Eden920251987
Bashaw920252002
Weyerhauser820251988
Rib Lake820252011
Stevens Pt820232003
Rolling Pr820251972
Gresham820251998
Beloit820252000
Trempealeau720251966
Oconto Falls720231985

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansasconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotamississippimissourinebraskanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawest-virginia

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