BirdAnalyst
Species · Vermont · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Population Trend in Vermont

All statesForest birds

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Vermont has surged: up 190% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+190%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 →
26Routes 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 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Trends in VermontNotable 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 →

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker has surged in Vermont: up 190% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Population Forecast in Vermont

If the recent trend holds, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Vermont is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 5.5 (95% range 3.4–7.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±16%, with 100% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-7%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 →
5.5Projected 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 →
3.4–7.595% 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 →
±16%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, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Vermont is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 5.5 (95% range 3.4–7.5). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±16%, with 100% 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 →
20265.23.27.2
20275.33.37.3
20285.33.37.3
20295.43.47.4
20305.53.47.5

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Survey Routes in Vermont

Routes recording Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in Vermont.
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 →
S Reading1820241966
East Calais1820251966
Northfld Fls1420251980
Marlboro1220251966
Stratton1120251966
Newbury 21020232005
Middlesex920251968
Landgrove720251966
Hardwick720241967
Waterville719801967
W Rutland620251967
Newbury620041988
Shaftsbury520251968
St Johnsbury520251970
Gaysville420251967
East Haven420251966
Stowe420241988
North Pownal320251971
Hinesburg319941969
Post Mills220251966
Greensboro220251967
Grand Isle219791979
Bristol220252009
S Wallingfrd120221969
Fletcher120241994

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Population Trend in Other States

alaskaconnecticutillinoisiowamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiopennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatennesseeutahvirginiawest-virginiawisconsin

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