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

Red-headed Woodpecker Population Trend in Iowa

All statesForest birds

Red-headed Woodpecker in Iowa has fallen sharply: down 61% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

-61%Since 1969TrendPercent 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 →
39Routes 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 →
57YearsYears 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 IowaNotable 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-headed Woodpecker has fallen sharply in Iowa: down 61% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

Red-headed Woodpecker Population Forecast in Iowa

If the recent trend holds, Red-headed Woodpecker in Iowa is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 4.3 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–4.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±109.2%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-100%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 →
0.00Projected 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 →
0.00–4.395% 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 →
±109.2%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-headed Woodpecker in Iowa is projected to fall about 100% by 2029 — from 4.3 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.00 (95% range 0.00–4.3). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±109.2%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19672029
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 →
20250.270.004.6
20260.090.004.4
20270.000.004.3
20280.000.004.3
20290.000.004.3

Red-headed Woodpecker Survey Routes in Iowa

Routes recording Red-headed Woodpecker in Iowa.
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 →
College Spgs1620041967
Mt Hamill1420241967
Red Rock1220241968
Panther1120241967
College Spgs 21120232005
Wales1020181967
Lafayette820242003
Mccallsburg820241996
Zearing719951967
Washta720141967
Maquoketa620241967
Exline520241974
Melrose520241974
Sioux City520241968
Bedford420181968
Brooklyn420221967
Neola420161968
Kanawha420241967
Gaza420231969
Williamsburg320231967
Hudson320221967
Scranton320241967
Rock Valley320241968
Tipton320231993
Washington220241967

Red-headed Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

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

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22.