Hobbies And Interests
Red-headed Woodpecker
The red-headed woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) resides in upstate New York only during the summer months and spends its winters farther south in the U.S. You can easily identify this woodpecker in the region from others because it is the only woodpecker in the eastern U.S. with a completely red head and neck. Its belly and wing tips are white while the back and tail are black.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Another summer migrant to upstate New York is the yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius). Birdwatchers can also find this woodpecker family member throughout much of Canada during the summer months. It has a red crown and throat and black eye stripe, and is otherwise a patchy black and white.
Downy Woodpecker
Most novice and experienced birdwatchers have seen the downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens), as it lives year round in most of the U.S. and Canada. The downy woodpecker is the smallest of North America's woodpeckers, measuring just 7 inches from beak to tail. It is a black and white bird with a distinctive red patch at the back of the head.
Hairy Woodpecker
Looking much like the downy woodpecker and with the same range, the hairy woodpecker (Picoides villosus) has a smaller red patch at the back of the head and measures up to 11 inches from beak to tail. It also lives year round in most of the U.S., including in upstate New York.
Black-backed Woodpecker
As its name suggests, this woodpecker with the scientific name Picoides arcticus has a solid black back. Its most identifying feature is the small yellow patch on the top of its head. Found throughout much of Canada, only the most northern residents of upstate New York can view this bird year round.
Northern Flicker
Although a member of the woodpecker family, the northern flicker (Colaptes auratus) forages mostly on the ground for ants rather than in trees. This woodpecker's plumage is grey-brown with black spots. It has a red patch on the back of its neck and measures up to 14 inches from beak to tail. It's found year round in some parts of upstate New York but most northern residents do move south for the winter.
Pileated Woodpecker
Once spotted by a birdwatcher, there's no mistaking the pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), as it is the size of a crow and has a red head and red crest. Birdwatchers can spot this woodpecker year round in upstate New York although it is less commonly spotted than other woodpeckers.