Woodpecker Varieties

Downy Woodpecker

• The downy woodpecker is the smallest variety in North America, reaching only 5 to 6 inches in length and having a mere 11-inch wingspan. The white-feathered throat and belly of the downy woodpecker is accentuated by black and white speckled wings. Adult male downy woodpeckers also have a small plumage of red feathers at the crown of their head.

Red-Headed Woodpecker

• The red-headed woodpecker is one of the most recognizable varieties. The unique color combination, black wings and back with a broad white stripe across the back of bird, coupled with the bright red feathered head make this bird easy to spot. The red-headed woodpecker lives throughout North America, and prefers to breed in the central portion of the U.S.A.

Hairy Woodpecker

• Hairy woodpeckers live in forests with deciduous trees, suitable for their eating habits, which include boring for fruit, nuts, seeds, insects and even tree sap. The coloring of the hairy woodpecker includes black wings with noticeable white spots and white feathers outlining both eyes. The hairy woodpecker resembles the downy woodpecker, though larger in overall size. Adults reach almost 10 inches long with 15 inch wingspans.

Northern Flicker Woodpecker

• The Northern flicker woodpecker lives throughout North America, in addition to portions of the Cayman Islands, Central America and Cuba. The variety is divided into two distinct sub-varieties: the yellow-shafted flicker and the red-shafted flicker. A yellow-shafted flicker has noticeable yellow feathers under the tail and wings. A distinguishing red stripe of red feathers at the base of the neck is another way to recognize this variety. The red-shafted flicker has red feathers under wings and tail, with males also having a red area on the face above the beak.

Pileated Woodpecker

• One of the larger varieties of woodpeckers, the pileated woodpecker can reach adult sizes of up to 19 inches in length. This bird is distinguishable due to the solid black body and a flame red plume of feathers extending from right above the eyes to the back of the head. The head is also notable for its black and white mask appearance with the feathers framing the face. Native to North America, primarily throughout the Great Lakes region, portions of the eastern section of the Northeast and even parts of the Pacific coast, the pileated woodpecker is one variety which stands out not just for its looks but also for the damage the long beak can levy on smaller trees. Pileated woodpeckers bore deep into trees to find insects such as carpenter ants and beetles.

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

• Found throughout the Northeastern portion of the United States, and through the Southern section of Canada, the red-bellied woodpecker is distinguished for the red crest of feathers crowning the head. It's name is misleading. The red-bellied woodpecker actually has a solid white belly, though a slight hint of faded red is noticeable when the bird is close. This variety can reach 10 inches long and have a wingspan of up to 18 inches from the tip of one wing to the other.