Species · Minnesota · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Population Trend in Minnesota

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Minnesota has surged: up 392% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

+392%Since 1970
78Routes In State
56Years

Notable Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Trends in Minnesota

long arc increasecomputed index

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker has surged in Minnesota: up 392% on the route-weighted index since 1970.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Population Forecast in Minnesota

If the recent trend holds, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Minnesota is projected to fall about 10% by 2029 — from 2.0 in 2024 to a central estimate of 1.8 (95% range 0.71–2.9). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±28.5%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-10%Change by 2029
1.8Projected 2029 index
0.712.995% range
±28.5%Backtest error
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 index95% low95% high
20251.80.662.9
20261.80.672.9
20271.80.682.9
20281.80.702.9
20291.80.712.9

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Survey Routes in Minnesota

Routes recording Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Minnesota.
Chisholm2020242019
Crane Lake1420241969
Bemidji1219801967
Hart Lake920241971
Bigfork820241993
Lockport720241967
Babbitt620221994
Glendale620241993
Floodwood520241970
Cass Lake520161980
Sherry Lake420221970
Red Lake420241994
Cromwell320231971
Pine River320241970
Cohasset320161973
Bena319771967
Brook Park320191998
Sawbill Camp320241993
Chatfield 2320242005
Nebish320231985
Caledonia 2320242014
Nett Lake320212013
Millville220131972
Knapp220241990
St Stephen220081979

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Population Trend in Other States

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