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Species · Maryland · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Red-headed Woodpecker Population Trend in Maryland

All statesForest birds

Red-headed Woodpecker in Maryland has surged: up 37× on the route-weighted index since 1968.

37×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 →
51Routes 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-headed Woodpecker Trends in MarylandNotable 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-headed Woodpecker has surged in Maryland: up 37× on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Red-headed Woodpecker Population Forecast in Maryland

If the recent trend holds, Red-headed Woodpecker in Maryland is projected to fall about 45% by 2029 — from 1.9 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.0 (95% range 0.53–1.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±34.4%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-45%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 →
1.0Projected 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 →
0.53–1.595% 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 →
±34.4%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-headed Woodpecker in Maryland is projected to fall about 45% by 2029 — from 1.9 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.0 (95% range 0.53–1.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±34.4%, with 40% 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 →
20250.950.461.4
20260.970.481.5
20270.990.491.5
20281.00.511.5
20291.00.531.5

Red-headed Woodpecker Survey Routes in Maryland

Routes recording Red-headed Woodpecker in Maryland.
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 →
Emmitsburg2320241970
Williamsport1020241966
Eklo920181982
Honga720241975
Cokesbury720241977
Olney620241978
Madison620241984
Ijamsville620241986
Pleasant Val320241989
Vindex220241966
Warfieldsbrg220181971
Berlin220241980
Tall Timbers220011977
Hughesville220081996
Easton219821982
St. George'S Island220162016
Floyd120172007
Oldtown120151987
Smithsburg120141972
Wolfsville120241998
Bachman Mill120241966
Fowblesburg120051972
Randallstown120081983
Upper Xrds120021978
Van Bibber119761967

Red-headed Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

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

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