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

Red-bellied Woodpecker Population Trend in Wisconsin

All statesForest birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker in Wisconsin has surged: up 756% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+756%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 →
92Routes 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 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 756% 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 fall about 12% by 2029 — from 4.8 in 2024 to a central estimate of 4.2 (95% range 3.3–5.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±27.4%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-12%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 →
4.2Projected 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 →
3.3–5.195% 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 →
±27.4%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 Wisconsin is projected to fall about 12% by 2029 — from 4.8 in 2024 to a central estimate of 4.2 (95% range 3.3–5.1). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±27.4%, with 20% 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 →
20253.93.04.8
20264.03.14.9
20274.03.24.9
20284.13.25.0
20294.23.35.1

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 →
Paris2220241972
River Falls2020241998
Pardeeville1920241977
Cadott1820241991
Viroqua1820241968
N Andover1720241967
Meridean1420241998
Fall River1320241967
Beloit1320242000
Mukwonago 21320242005
Highland1220241998
Esdaile1020241966
Trempealeau1020241966
Wiota1020241966
Raymond1020241981
Annaton1020241998
Princeton920241972
Hazel Green920241966
Stevens Pt820232003
Washington I720241994
Cochrane720241966
Oconto Falls720231985
N Freedom720241966
Hebron720241981
Gresham720241998

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 2026-05-22.