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

Red-breasted Sapsucker Population Trend in Washington

All statesForest birds

Red-breasted Sapsucker in Washington has surged: up 305% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

+305%Since 1971TrendPercent 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 →
53Routes 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 →
56YearsYears 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-breasted Sapsucker Trends in WashingtonNotable 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-breasted Sapsucker has surged in Washington: up 305% on the route-weighted index since 1971.

Red-breasted Sapsucker Population Forecast in Washington

If the recent trend holds, Red-breasted Sapsucker in Washington is projected to fall about 18% by 2030 — from 1.3 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.62–1.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±27.1%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-18%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 →
1.1Projected 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 →
0.62–1.695% 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 →
±27.1%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-breasted Sapsucker in Washington is projected to fall about 18% by 2030 — from 1.3 in 2025 to a central estimate of 1.1 (95% range 0.62–1.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±27.1%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19692030
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 →
20261.00.571.5
20271.10.581.5
20281.10.591.5
20291.10.601.5
20301.10.621.6

Red-breasted Sapsucker Survey Routes in Washington

Routes recording Red-breasted Sapsucker in Washington.
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 →
Kendall1220251981
Glacier1220241975
Lake Chelan819921992
Cougar720231971
Cascade Riv520061988
Kamilche520251969
South Elma520241989
Pe Ell520251994
Concrete520252013
Mendota 3520252005
Newhalem420251974
Packwood420251982
Raymond420212004
Twisp320071970
Raymond 2320242022
Everett320252003
Index 2320232014
White Chuck320251992
Carnation320251988
Port Angeles220251978
Deception219981998
Ardenvoir219701970
Mcchord220151996
Bunker Hill220251970
Snowden220251982

Red-breasted Sapsucker Population Trend in Other States

alaskacaliforniaidahomontananevadaoregon

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