BirdAnalyst
Species · West Virginia · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Red-headed Woodpecker Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesForest birds

Red-headed Woodpecker in West Virginia has surged: up 104% on the route-weighted index since 1974.

+104%Since 1974TrendPercent 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 →
21Routes 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 →
33YearsYears 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 West VirginiaNotable 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 West Virginia: up 104% on the route-weighted index since 1974.

Red-headed Woodpecker Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Red-headed Woodpecker in West Virginia is projected to rise about 21% by 2029 — from 0.11 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.13 (95% range 0.00–0.26). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±50%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+21%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 →
0.13Projected 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 →
0.00–0.2695% 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 →
±50%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 West Virginia is projected to rise about 21% by 2029 — from 0.11 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.13 (95% range 0.00–0.26). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±50%, with 100% 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 →
20250.130.000.25
20260.130.000.25
20270.130.000.26
20280.130.000.26
20290.130.000.26

Red-headed Woodpecker Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Red-headed Woodpecker in West Virginia.
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 →
Smoot520132013
Hubbardstown319831983
Spencer320132013
Josephs Mill220242021
Sleepy Creek219821977
Martinsburg220081995
Ruthbelle220242023
Hix119871987
Glade Run119921992
Bismark120162016
Lost River120232008
Shanghai120141999
Sutton119951995
Cedarville120132013
Sugar Grove120132009
Dailey119741974
Mo Of Seneca120141986
Slate119851985
Rockport119671967
Yellow Spg120231973
Clinton120211977

Red-headed Woodpecker Population Trend in Other States

alabamaarkansascoloradoconnecticutdelawarefloridageorgiaillinoisindianaiowakansaskentuckylouisianamarylandmichiganminnesotamississippimissourimontananebraskanew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiooklahomapennsylvaniasouth-carolinasouth-dakotatennesseetexasvermontvirginiawisconsinwyoming

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