Woodpeckers may be discovered throughout the globe apart from the polar areas and (bizarrely) Australasia. It’s an iconic hen with its usually gorgeous plumage and hammering noise. Woodpeckers belong to the Picadae household, inside which there are 33 genera and 233 species. In america, there are 8 genera. Each has completely different traits, and there’s a stunning complete of 24 species.
We are going to have a look at every household and select 1-2 species from every to show its qualities
Melanerpes
Members of the Household
- Purple-bellied Woodpecker
- Purple-headed Woodpecker
- Golden-fronted Woodpecker
- Gila Woodpecker
- Acorn Woodpecker
- Lewis’s Woodpecker
Purple-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)
As is commonly the case, this hen isn’t precisely named. It has a sexy black and white sample on the again and buff on the entrance. A vivid pink crest helps extra with the identification than the ‘pink stomach’ that’s solely barely marked and never normally seen.
This woodpecker is a southeastern hen and may be seen year-round because it doesn’t migrate. It may be seen in a lot of completely different environments, and its success in adapting makes it some of the frequent woodpeckers seen within the U.S.
It’s an opportunistic feeder and can eat the same old nuts and berries but in addition arthropods and small vertebrates.
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Much less identified than the japanese woodpecker, the Acorn Woodpecker has an uncommon sample with black eye patches. The hen is black on the again and white on the entrance, mixing to black on the breast. A golden throat and face are complemented by a vivid pink crest.
The Acorn Woodpecker is one other non-migratory woodpecker that’s resident within the southwest and west coast. Additionally it is discovered all through Central America and the north of South America.
Because the identify suggests, this woodpecker simply loves acorns! Nevertheless, it really has fairly a wide-ranging food plan, together with bugs, sap, some birds, lizards, and small mammals.
Dryobates
Members of the Household
- Downy Woodpecker
- Furry Woodpecker
- Purple-cockaded Woodpecker
- Ladder-backed Woodpecker
- Nuttall’s Woodpecker
- White-headed Woodpecker
- Arizona Woodpecker
Arizona Woodpecker (Dryobates arizonae)
This feminine Arizona Woodpecker is a sexy mix of browns and lotions. The stable again offers method to a paler, patterned underside and the top is once more patterned. The male is analogous however the markings are darker and extra hanging. He additionally has a pink crest.
One other misnomer: this woodpecker is extra frequent in Mexico and isn’t seen in south Arizona. The place discovered, it’s resident and seen all 12 months spherical.
The Arizona Woodpecker digs by way of bark searching for bugs and their larvae to eat.
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)
The Downy Woodpecker is the smallest and most typical woodpecker throughout the U.S. Its black again is cut up by a protracted white patch and white patterns on the wings. Black and white patterning on the face is accentuated by the pink crest.
The Downy Woodpecker may be discovered throughout continental America in all environments apart from the very dry southern areas.
It digs by way of the bark of bushes searching for bugs however can even eat fruits and seeds.
Dryocopus
Members of the Household
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
The Pileated Woodpecker could be the solely member of its genus, nevertheless it has the long-lasting woodpecker look. The primarily black physique has white vents alongside the aspect and operating up the neck and onto the face. The kicker is the intense pink crest, which actually makes this hen stand out.
As may be seen within the vary map above, the Pileated Woodpecker is resident and non-migratory in japanese and northwestern America.
This woodpecker, just like others, eats ants, fruits and nuts.
Picoides
Members of the Household
- Black-backed Woodpecker
- American Three-toed Woodpecker
American Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis)
This can be a small and unusual woodpecker with extra white on the physique than different species. The male, as pictured above, has a golden crown.
The American Three-toed Woodpecker is an unusual discover in woods and forest of the mid and north west.
This woodpecker loves the larvae of the bark and wood-boring beetles.
Dendrocopos
Members of the Household
Nice Noticed Woodpecker (Dendrocopos main)
This can be a frequent woodpecker of Europe and throughout Eurasia. It’s the anticipated black and white colours with a pink vent and crest.
With lower than 20 sightings in Alaska, that is an extremely uncommon woodpecker in america.
Campephilus
Members of the Household
Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis)
The Ivory-billed Woodpecker is the holy Grail of hen watching. It’s thought-about extinct by many individuals however nonetheless folks go from Texas to Florida searching for it. In components of historic forests you may nonetheless see their excavated holes, which might be the closest any of us will come to seeing them.
Right here is an unconfirmed name recorded in Louisiana in 2022.
Sphyrapicus
Members of the Household
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
- Purple-breasted Sapsucker
- Purple-naped Sapsucker
- Williamson’s Sapsucker
Purple-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber)
The Purple-breasted Sapsucker is a hanging crimson on the top and neck earlier than reverting to ‘conventional’ woodpecker black and white coloring.
The Purple-breasted Sapsucker is the primary of the woodpeckers on our listing that’s migratory. It strikes solely a brief method to additional inland for breeding.
Because the identify suggests, the sapsucker’s food plan consists largely of sap. Nevertheless, it’s going to additionally take fruit and arthropods.
Williamson’s Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus)
One other darkish, giant woodpecker with a yellow blush on stomach. This male additionally has a pink patch on the throat. The feminine is a duller brown.
The Williamson’s Sapsucker has a fancy migration sample with nonbreeding areas within the southwest and Mexico, breeding areas scattered additional north and a streak of year-round territory in California and Oregon.
This sapsucker is omnivorous and because the resident vary suggests, its food plan is extremely variable.
Colaptes
Members of the Household
- Northern Flicker
- Gilded Flicker
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
An unmistakable pale woodpecker with a stupendous buff breast coated in black spots. The reddy brown throat is marked by a semi-circle of black beneath. Black blobs run down from the mouth, and there’s a pink streak behind the top.
The Northern Flicker is widespread and resident throughout continental America with a migratory inhabitants south which moved north to breed.
This woodpecker primarily eats ants, fruits and seeds.
Remaining Ideas
These woodpeckers are fascinating. I all the time thought the drumming was to do with hammering away at meals however it’s all about speaking to potential predators, different woodpeckers, and to potential mates.
From the frequent Downy Woodpecker to the magical Ivory-billed Woodpecker, there’s a lot to be taught and like about these superb creatures.
