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Species · Illinois · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Red-headed Woodpecker Population Trend in Illinois

All statesForest birds

Red-headed Woodpecker in Illinois has declined: down 50% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

-50%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 →
105Routes 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-headed Woodpecker Trends in IllinoisNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →

No notable trend signals for Red-headed Woodpecker in Illinois. See the full index history below.

Red-headed Woodpecker Population Forecast in Illinois

If the recent trend holds, Red-headed Woodpecker in Illinois is projected to fall about 98% by 2030 — from 4.1 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.09 (95% range 0.00–2.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±107.6%, with 0% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-98%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 →
0.09Projected 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 →
0.00–2.895% 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 →
±107.6%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-headed Woodpecker in Illinois is projected to fall about 98% by 2030 — from 4.1 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.09 (95% range 0.00–2.8). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±107.6%, 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 →
20260.540.003.2
20270.430.003.1
20280.320.003.0
20290.200.002.9
20300.090.002.8

Red-headed Woodpecker Survey Routes in Illinois

Routes recording Red-headed Woodpecker in Illinois.
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 →
Athensville2620251971
Concord2520251967
Robinson2120231970
Belleview1820251966
Duncan Mills1120251993
Payson1120252000
Eubanks1120252001
Marshall1120252001
Terre Haute1020251966
Sherrard1020251993
York920251993
Guilford820231967
Chandlervill820251971
Melrose819991973
Janesville820251972
Bradbury820251970
Humboldt820251970
Martinsville820251970
Pulaski720251971
Clayton720252001
Gulfport620251971
Bartonville620251973
Bluff Spgs620251967
Mascoutah Lk520251967
Birds520241976

Red-headed Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansascoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamarylandmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniasouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawest-virginiawisconsinwyoming

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