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

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesForest birds

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in West Virginia has surged: up 11× on the route-weighted index since 1999.

11×Since 1999TrendPercent 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 →
13Routes 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 →
24YearsYears 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 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 →

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker has surged in West Virginia: up 11× on the route-weighted index since 1999.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in West Virginia is projected to fall about 55% by 2029 — from 0.73 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.33 (95% range 0.04–0.62). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±52.5%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-55%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 →
0.33Projected 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 →
0.04–0.6295% 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 →
±52.5%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 West Virginia is projected to fall about 55% by 2029 — from 0.73 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.33 (95% range 0.04–0.62). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±52.5%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19762029
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 →
20250.290.000.58
20260.300.010.59
20270.310.020.60
20280.320.030.61
20290.330.040.62

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Survey Routes in West Virginia

Routes recording Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 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 →
Glady1620242014
Bemis420242008
Canaan320242016
Bismark220162016
Glade Run 2220242017
Dailey120242010
Bowden120192015
Wymer120151999
Meadowville120212021
Sleepy Creek119761976
Ruthbelle120052005
Denmar119891989
Green Bank120242004

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Population Trend in Other States

alaskaconnecticutillinoisiowamainemarylandmassachusettsmichiganminnesotanew-hampshirenew-jerseynew-mexiconew-yorknorth-carolinanorth-dakotaohiopennsylvaniarhode-islandsouth-dakotatennesseeutahvermontvirginiawisconsin

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