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Species · West Virginia · BBS 2026 Release · 1966–2025

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Population Trend in West Virginia

All statesForest birds

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in West Virginia has surged: up 13× on the route-weighted index since 1999.

13×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 →
14Routes 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 →
25YearsYears 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 →

No notable trend signals for Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in West Virginia. See the full index history below.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Population Forecast in West Virginia

If the recent trend holds, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in West Virginia is projected to fall about 12% by 2030 — from 0.40 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.35 (95% range 0.07–0.63). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±52.3%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

-12%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 →
0.35Projected 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 →
0.07–0.6395% 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 →
±52.3%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 12% by 2030 — from 0.40 in 2025 to a central estimate of 0.35 (95% range 0.07–0.63). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±52.3%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.19762030
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 →
20260.310.030.59
20270.320.040.60
20280.330.050.61
20290.340.060.62
20300.350.070.63

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
Bismark620252016
Dailey320252010
Canaan320252016
Green Bank220252004
Bowden120192015
Wymer120151999
Bemis120252008
Meadowville120212021
Sleepy Creek119761976
Ruthbelle120052005
Glade Run 2120252017
Three Forks120252025
Denmar119891989

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 2026-08-14.