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

Red-cockaded Woodpecker Population Trend in Georgia

All statesForest birds

Red-cockaded Woodpecker in Georgia has fallen sharply: down 74% on the route-weighted index since 1981.

-74%Since 1981TrendPercent 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 →
5Routes 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 →
19YearsYears 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-cockaded Woodpecker Trends in GeorgiaNotable 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 declinecomputed 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-cockaded Woodpecker has fallen sharply in Georgia: down 74% on the route-weighted index since 1981.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker Population Forecast in Georgia

If the recent trend holds, Red-cockaded Woodpecker in Georgia is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 0.05 (95% range 0.00–0.15). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±328.2%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange 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 →
0.05Projected 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 →
0.00–0.1595% 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 →
±328.2%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-cockaded Woodpecker in Georgia is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 0.05 (95% range 0.00–0.15). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±328.2%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672030
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 →
20260.050.000.15
20270.050.000.15
20280.050.000.15
20290.050.000.15
20300.050.000.15

Red-cockaded Woodpecker Survey Routes in Georgia

Routes recording Red-cockaded Woodpecker in Georgia.
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 →
Piedmont Nwr420031991
Okefenokee119811975
Council120252017
Hawkinsville119671967
Boston120101975

Red-cockaded Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansasfloridalouisianamississippinorth-carolinasouth-carolinatexasvirginia

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