From vibrant red heads to distinctive drumming sounds, woodpeckers are some of the most captivating birds in the U.S. Whether you’re an experienced birder or a curious beginner, spotting these unique species can add excitement to any outdoor adventure.
Here are 15 incredible woodpecker species you’ll want to know about—and hopefully spot.
1. Red-headed Woodpecker
The Red-headed Woodpecker is striking with its bright red head, white body, and black wings. It’s about the size of a blue jay, making it pretty easy to spot. You can find these woodpeckers in open woodlands, parks, and fields across the eastern U.S., especially from the Great Lakes down to the Gulf Coast.
Where to Find Them: Look for them in tree cavities or perched on dead branches, where they often hunt for insects and acorns. Their loud “peek” call can help you locate them!
2. Red-breasted Sapsucker
These birds mainly live in the coniferous forests of the western U.S. and Canada. The Red-breasted Sapsucker has a red crown and breast, a black back, and white wing stripes. It’s smaller than some other woodpeckers and is very charming to watch.
Where to Find Them: They often drill neat rows of holes in trees to access sap, so check conifer trees, like pines and spruces. You might also spot them at sugar maple trees, where they create holes for sap flow.
3. White-headed Woodpecker
They usually have a white head and neck, with a black body and wings; however, the males have a small yellow patch on the back of their heads. This woodpecker is mostly found in the western U.S., especially in the Sierra Nevada mountains and surrounding areas.
You should look for them in old-growth forests with large trees, and listen for their distinctive drumming and calls.
4. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
They feature a distinctive yellow belly, black back, and white stripes on its face. Males have a red throat, while females do not. You can find these woodpeckers across the eastern U.S. and into parts of Canada, particularly in the northern forests.
Where to Find Them: They are often seen in mixed forests and tend to feed on the sap of trees, especially maples and birches. Look for them drilling neat holes in tree trunks!
5. Acorn Woodpecker
Acorn Woodpeckers are widespread in the western U.S., especially in California and Mexico. They have a black body, a white face, and bright red crowns. They are known for their social behavior and love for acorns.
Where to Find Them: These woodpeckers often create granaries by drilling holes in trees to store acorns. Check oak forests or places with lots of oak trees, where you can see them working together to gather food.
6. Black-backed Woodpecker
Black-backed woodpeckers are a beautiful sight with their striking black backs, yellow heads, and white underparts. These medium-sized woodpeckers inhabit the western U.S. and Canada, especially in coniferous forests that have been affected by fire.
Where to Find Them: Look for them in areas where dead trees stand, as they often feed on beetle larvae in the wood. They are more common in burned forests, so keep an eye out after wildfires.
7. Downy Woodpecker
The Downy Woodpecker is small and has a black-and-white spotted pattern. Males have a small red patch on the back of their heads, while females do not. They’re very adaptable and live all over the United States and Canada, often in suburban areas.
Where to Find Them: These woodpeckers enjoy a variety of habitats, including parks, gardens, and forests. Look for them on tree trunks, where they hop around searching for insects.
8. Gila Woodpecker
Featuring a brownish body with black and white stripes on its wings, the males are known for having red crowns (which are pretty easy to spot). Birders can encounter these woodpeckers in the southwestern U.S., especially in Arizona and parts of California and New Mexico.
Where to Find Them: Gila Woodpeckers prefer desert areas with saguaro cacti and other tall trees. They often create holes in cacti to nest and feed on insects.
9. Gilded Flicker
Similar to other flickers but has a golden-brown color on its back and a black crescent on its chest, they have bright yellow underwings, which you might see when they fly. Gilded Flickers reside in the southwestern U.S., particularly in Arizona and California.
Where to Find Them: They prefer open woodlands and desert areas with a mix of trees and cacti. Look for them on the ground searching for ants and beetles, as they like to forage for food.
10. Golden-fronted Woodpecker
With striking yellow patches on their forehead and a mix of black and white on their bodies, these woodpeckers are easily spotted in the southern U.S., mainly in Texas and parts of Mexico. Note that males have a red crown, while females have a more subdued look.
Where to Find Them: They are often seen in areas with live oaks and mesquite trees. Look for them in suburban areas, parks, and woodlands, where they can be heard drumming on tree trunks.
11. Ladder-backed Woodpecker
A small bird with a black-and-white striped back that looks like a ladder, the Ladder-backed Woodpecker occupies the southwestern U.S., especially in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Males have a red patch on their heads, while females do not.
Where to Find Them: They love areas with yucca, mesquite, and cacti. Look for them in open woodlands and scrublands, often feeding on insects in the bark of trees.
12. Lewis’s Woodpecker
Lewis’s Woodpecker is colorful, with a greenish-black back, pink belly, and a black face. It’s a bit larger than some other woodpeckers and has a unique, almost crow-like appearance. You can find Lewis’s Woodpeckers mainly in the western U.S., especially in the Rocky Mountains and surrounding areas.
Where to Find Them: They prefer open forests and areas with plenty of dead trees, where they hunt for insects and catch flying bugs mid-air. Keep an eye out in parks and woodlands, especially near water sources.
13. American Three-toed Woodpecker
This unique woodpecker has a black-and-white pattern, a yellow crown, and only three toes on each foot. It is medium-sized and has a gentle demeanor. American Three-toed Woodpeckers are found in the northern U.S. and Canada, especially in coniferous forests.
Where to Find Them: They are often seen in forests that have been affected by fire or beetle infestations, as they feed on the larvae in dying trees. Look for them in quiet, mature forests where they drum on tree trunks.
14. Northern Flicker
Larger than many woodpeckers and has a brown body with black spots, these birds have a distinct white patch on its rear and bright yellow or red underwings, depending on the subspecies. Northern Flickers are all over North America, including the eastern and western U.S. and parts of Canada.
Where to Find Them: Unlike many woodpeckers, Flickers often forage on the ground for ants and beetles, so look for them in open fields, parks, and even backyards. They also enjoy nesting in tree cavities, so check nearby trees.
15. Ivory-billed Woodpecker
These are large woodpeckers with a striking black and white pattern. They often display a long, straight bill and a distinctive crest on their heads. Sadly, it’s believed to be critically endangered, (ref) but some still hope to see it.
It used to live in the southeastern U.S., especially in the bottomland forests of the Mississippi River basin.
Where to Find Them: While many believe it’s extinct, some reports suggest sightings in remote swamps and forests. If you’re exploring places like the Big Woods of Arkansas or the swamps of Louisiana, keep an eye out, and remember to be hopeful rather than certain!
So grab your binoculars and enjoy the sights and sounds of these spectacular birds.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.