Woodpeckers are unique birds found throughout North America. With their characteristic behaviors like drumming and pecking on trees, these birds play an important role in forest ecosystems. North America is home to over 20 different woodpecker species, each with distinct plumage, size, behavior, habitat, and range. Here is an overview of 12 of the most notable woodpeckers found across North America.
Downy Woodpecker
The smallest woodpecker in North America, the Downy Woodpecker grows only 6-7 inches in length. Despite its tiny size, this bird can be found across nearly all of North America in deciduous forests, orchards, and suburban parks. The Downy Woodpecker has black and white plumage with white spotting on its wings and distinctive white stripes down its back. The male has a small red patch on the back of its head. These birds forage on trees for insects, excavating shallower cavities in dead wood to find grubs and larvae. Their “whinnying” call is a familiar sound in woodland habitats.
Hairy Woodpecker
Very similar looking to the Downy Woodpecker, the Hairy Woodpecker is a bit larger at 9-11 inches in length. It lacks the red patch on the head and has a longer, sturdier beak. Hairy Woodpeckers inhabit mature forests across North America, using their beak to excavate deeper holes in trees. They create these holes for nesting and roosting. Their drumming on dead trees advertises territory and attracts mates. The Hairy Woodpecker’s black and white barred plumage provides camouflage against tree bark.
Red-Bellied Woodpecker
Named for the subtle reddish tint on its belly, the Red-Bellied Woodpecker has bold black and white plumage on its back, wings and tail. This medium-sized woodpecker grows to 9 inches in length and inhabits mature forests and woodlots in eastern North America. The Red-Bellied Woodpecker uses its chisel-like beak to excavate nesting cavities in dead trees. It forages for insects, spiders, fruits and nuts. The loud “kwirr” call of this bird is a familiar sound in its wooded habitat.
Red-Headed Woodpecker
With a name like Red-Headed Woodpecker, it’s no surprise this bird has a vibrant crimson head and throat. The body appears black and white with bold white wing patches. About 9 inches in length, the Red-Headed Woodpecker inhabits open woodlands and forest edges in eastern North America. It forages for insects, nuts and seeds both in trees and on the ground. Red-Headed Woodpeckers are skillful flyers known for catching insects in midair. Their metallic “tchurr” call rings through their territory.
Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker
Named for the yellow wash on its belly, the Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker frequents mixed and deciduous forests across North America. Growing about 8.5 inches long, this woodpecker has black and white plumage on its back and wings, with vibrant red on its head and throat. As the name suggests, these birds drill orderly rows of small holes in tree bark to feed on the sap that flows out, as well as any insects attracted to the sap. Their “mew” calls ring high and clear from the forest canopy.
Pileated Woodpecker
The largest woodpecker in North America, the Pileated Woodpecker has a wingspan of over 2 feet! This crow-sized bird lives in mature forests across North America. With mostly black plumage and a bright red crest on its head, the Pileated Woodpecker is an impressive sight as it chips away at dead trees. Its loud, machine-gun like drumming can be heard echoing through its territory. Pileated Woodpeckers create large, rectangular cavities in trees for roosting and nesting.
Northern Flicker
Unlike other North American woodpeckers, the Northern Flicker forages mostly on the ground, lapping up ants with its long tongue. This medium-sized bird has brownish barred plumage, black spots, and a black crescent on its chest. In flight, the Northern Flicker shows bright yellow underwings and tail. Found in open woods and edges across North America, the Northern Flicker excavates nest cavities in dead trees. Its loud calls include a repeating “wicka-wicka-wicka.”
Red-Cockaded Woodpecker
A threatened species limited to southeastern U.S. pine forests, the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker has unique social behaviors. Living in family groups, these birds excavate cavities in living pine trees, which are then shared by the family over generations. They peck small holes around their nesting cavity, causing sap to leak as a natural defense against intruders. With black and white barred plumage and a small red streak on the cheek, this species grows to 9 inches in length.
Lewis’s Woodpecker
Named after explorer Meriwether Lewis, Lewis’s Woodpecker inhabits open pine forests and burned forests in western North America. A medium-sized woodpecker growing to 10 inches long, it has dark greenish-black plumage on its back, a gray collar, and a rose-pink belly. Lewis’s Woodpeckers forage by flycatching and eating insects in flight. They also eat fruits and nuts. Their rolling, crow-like calls ring through their habitat.
Red-Naped Sapsucker
Found in western North America, the Red-Naped Sapsucker has unusual plumage patterns. It has a red forehead and throat, white and black striped head, yellow belly, and black back and wings. About 8.5 inches long, these woodpeckers drill orderly rows of sap wells into trees and feed on the flowing sap as well as insects attracted to it. Red-naped Sapsuckers inhabit mixed forests and nest in dead trees. Their descending calls sound like “mee-yow.”
Williamson’s Sapsucker
Related to the Red-Naped Sapsucker but found further north in western North America, Williamson’s Sapsucker frequents higher elevation conifer forests. The male has a yellow belly, black back, white rump, and a black head with yellow stripes. Females lack the yellow throat patch. Growing to 9 inches long, these woodpeckers drill sap wells and feed on the sugary flow. Their habitat rings with their loud, descending “whlee-eer” calls.
With their specialized beaks and behaviors, woodpeckers fill an important niche in forest ecosystems across North America. Whether drumming territorial messages, excavating nesting cavities, or foraging for food, woodpeckers are icons of North American forests, backyards, and woodlands. Protecting mature forests and dead standing trees ensures habitat for these unique birds into the future.
Frequently Asked Questions about North American Woodpeckers
What makes woodpeckers so unique?
Woodpeckers have several special adaptations that allow them to live their specialized lifestyles. Their chisel-like beaks are strong and reinforced to allow excavating and drumming on wood. Their skull and neck muscles help cushion the forces from this drilling. Woodpeckers also have specialized tongue/hyoid bones that wrap around their skull allowing their extra-long, sticky tongues to extend to catch insects. And their unique feet have two toes pointing forward and two back to grip vertically on trees.
How do woodpeckers choose where to build their nest cavities?
Woodpeckers look for dead and dying trees and snags which have softer, decaying wood that is easier to excavate. The cavity location depends on the species, but they often choose areas high up with good visibility and thick enough wood to protect and hide the nest. Certain species favor living trees, while others prefer dead trees.
Do woodpeckers reuse their nest cavities?
Many woodpecker species reuse their cavities year after year. Cavities made in living trees can be used for over a decade in some cases. Other woodpeckers may excavate a new nesting cavity each year. This provides new habitat for other cavity-nesters over time as old cavities are abandoned.
What other animals use woodpecker cavities?
Many animals rely on the cavities created by woodpeckers for their own nesting, roosting and shelter. Chickadees, bluebirds, owls, ducks, bats, squirrels and many other species may use old woodpecker cavities. Woodpeckers play a vital role in ecosystems by providing these shelter sites.
How do woodpeckers avoid injury from all that drilling and hammering?
Besides their reinforced skull and beak, woodpeckers have thick neck muscles that act as shock absorbers. Their unique hyoid bone wraps around their skull helping cushion the brain. Woodpeckers also have a third eyelid that protects their eyes from debris while drilling. Other adaptations help woodpeckers avoid injury from their hammering habits.
Do woodpeckers damage trees and houses?
While woodpeckers drill on both dead trees and the wooden parts of homes for food or nest sites, most of the time this does negligible damage and does not harm living trees. Woodpeckers look for insects and excavate decaying wood. Occasionally they may damage buildings, in which case deterrents like noisy pinwheels can be used.
How do woodpeckers find food in trees?
Woodpeckers find food in trees both by sight and by sound. They use their excellent vision and upright posture to scan for insects on the bark. Their hammering and tapping also helps locate hidden insects based on subtle sounds and vibrations given off by movement inside the wood and bark.
What threats do woodpeckers face?
Habitat loss is the biggest threat most woodpeckers face today. Logging of mature and dead trees removes their nesting and shelter sites. Some species need large swaths of unfragmented forest to thrive. Pesticides also reduce the insect prey base for woodpeckers. Preventing deforestation and protecting large forests helps conserve these unique birds.
How can I attract woodpeckers to my yard?
You can invite woodpeckers to your yard by putting up bird feeders stocked with suet, nuts or seed mixes. Allow dead trees or snags to stand where safe. Add a birdbath for drinking and bathing. Limit pesticide use on your property. And put up nest boxes designed specifically for certain woodpecker species you want to attract.
What should I do if I find a baby woodpecker?
It’s best to leave baby woodpeckers alone if they are undamaged, as the parents will continue to care for them. If you find an injured woodpecker fledgling on the ground, you can return it to a tree or bring it to a wildlife rehabilitator. Never keep wild birds. With some exceptions, it’s illegal to do so without permits.
Conclusion
With their unique adaptations and behaviors, woodpeckers have captivated humans for ages. North America is home to an incredible diversity of these specialist birds, from the tiny Downy Woodpecker to the imposing Pileated Woodpecker. Each species fills an important role in its forest ecosystem. As development fragments forests and removes dead trees, protecting woodpecker habitats is critical so we can continue enjoying their presence in forests, backyards, and woodlands for generations to come. If you have the chance to hear the drumming of a woodpecker or watch one forage, take a moment to appreciate these remarkable birds.