Woodpecker Types: Discover 18 most Famous Types

The woodpecker is a very charming bird, known for its eye-catching plumage and unique ability to drum on trees with its bill to communicate, attract mates, and forage for insects. I think you would like get some information about the Woodpecker, basically this article is about the Woodpecker Types, here the 18 most famous woodpecker types are explained with their real high quality images. So, let’s we start our journey about the woodpecker types.

Pileated Woodpecker

Woodpecker Types

Scientific Name: (Dryocopus pileatus)
Size: Around 16-19 inches in length.
Weight: Typically 8-12 ounces.
Geographical area: Found throughout North America, primarily in forests.
Population estimate: Roughly 1 million individuals.
Unique feature: Distinguished by its prominent red crest and large size among woodpeckers.

Downy Woodpecker

Woodpecker Types

Scientific Name: (Dryobates pubescens)
Size: Small, around 6-7 inches in length
Weight: Typically 1-2 ounces
Geographical area: Found throughout North America, from southern Canada to central Mexico
Population: Estimated in the millions
Unique feature: The Downy Woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker in North America, distinguished by its small size and white markings on its back.

Hairy Woodpecker

Woodpecker Types

Scientific Name: (Leuconotopicus villosus)
Size: 7-10 inches
Weight: 1.4-3.4 ounces
Geographical area: North and Central America
Population: Millions
Unique feature: Smaller bill compared to other woodpeckers

Northern Flicker

Woodpecker Types

Scientific Name: (Colaptes auratus)
Size: Northern Flickers are medium-sized woodpeckers.
Weight: They typically weigh between 3 to 5 ounces.
Geographical area: They are found across North America, from Alaska to Florida.
Population: There are millions of Northern Flickers present in the world at this time.
Unique feature: Unlike most woodpeckers, Northern Flickers often forage for insects on the ground rather than in trees.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Woodpecker Types

Scientific Name: (Melanerpes carolinus)
Size: Approximately 9-10 inches in length.
Weight: Around 2-3 ounces.
Geographical area: Found in eastern North America, ranging from southern Canada to Florida.
Population: Estimated to be in the millions.
Unique feature: Despite its name, the red patch on its belly is often difficult to see, making it a distinguishing feature from other woodpecker species.

Red-headed Woodpecker

Woodpecker Types

Scientific Name: (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
Size: Approximately 9-10 inches in length.
Weight: Around 2.5-3.5 ounces.
Geographical area: Found across North America.
Current population: Estimated to be declining but still relatively stable.
Unique feature: Unlike other woodpeckers, it stores food by impaling insects and nuts on tree branches or in bark crevices.

Acorn Woodpecker

Woodpecker Types

Scientific Name: (Melanerpes formicivorus)
Size: 8.5 to 9.5 inches (21 to 24 cm)
Weight: 3 to 6 ounces (85 to 170 grams)
Geographical area: Western North America, from Oregon and California south to Panama
Population estimate: Several million individuals
Unique feature: Acorn woodpeckers store acorns in specialized holes they drill into trees, creating “granaries” that can contain thousands of acorns.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Woodpecker Types

Scientific Name: (Sphyrapicus varius)
Size: Small to medium-sized bird, around 7-9 inches in length.
Weight: Approximately 1.5-2.5 ounces.
Geographical area: Primarily found in North America, particularly in forests with deciduous trees.
Population: It’s estimated that there are hundreds of thousands of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers in the world.
Unique feature: Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers have a distinct pattern of drilling small, evenly spaced holes in trees to feed on sap, unlike other woodpecker species.

Black-backed Woodpecker

Woodpecker Types

Scientific Name: (Picoides arcticus)
Size: Approximately 9-10 inches in length
Weight: Typically between 2.5-3.5 ounces
Geographical area: Found in boreal and subalpine coniferous forests of North America, including Alaska and Canada
Population estimate: Approximately 500,000 individuals
Unique feature: Its entirely black back, distinguishing it from other woodpecker species

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Woodpecker Types

Scientific Name: (Dendrocopos major)
Size: Approximately 9-10 inches long.
Weight: Around 2-3 ounces.
Geographical area: Found across Europe and parts of Asia.
Population: Estimated to be in the millions.
Unique feature: Distinguishing black and white plumage with a red patch on the back of the head.

Black Woodpecker

Woodpecker Types

Scientific Name:
Size: Approximately 12-13 inches long.
Weight: Around 8-12 ounces.
Geographical area: Found in Europe and parts of Asia.
Population: Estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands.
Unique feature: Entirely black plumage with a prominent red crest on the head.

American Three-toed Woodpecker

Woodpecker Types

Scientific Name:
Size: Approximately 8-9 inches long.
Weight: Around 2-3 ounces.
Geographical area: Found in North America, primarily in boreal forests.
Population: Population size is uncertain but likely in the tens of thousands.
Unique feature: Has only three toes on each foot, unlike most woodpeckers which have four toes.

Lewis’s Woodpecker

Woodpecker Types

Scientific Name: Melanerpes lewis
Size: Approximately 10-11 inches long.
Weight: Around 3-5 ounces.
Geographical area: Found in western North America, particularly in open woodlands and savannas.
Population: Population size is uncertain but likely in the thousands.
Unique feature: Distinctive pink-red belly and dark green iridescent plumage on the back and wings, giving it a unique appearance among woodpeckers.

White-headed Woodpecker

Woodpecker Types

Scientific Name: Picoides albolarvatus
Size: Approximately 8-9 inches long.
Weight: Around 2-3 ounces.
Geographical area: Found in western North America, particularly in coniferous forests.
Population: Population size is uncertain but likely in the tens of thousands.
Unique feature: Distinctive white head and neck contrasting with black body plumage, giving it a striking appearance among woodpeckers.

Nuttall’s Woodpecker

Woodpecker Types

Scientific Name: Picoides nuttallii
Size: Approximately 7-8 inches long.
Weight: Around 1.5-2 ounces.
Geographical area: Found in western North America, particularly in oak woodlands and mixed forests.
Population: Population size is uncertain but likely in the tens of thousands.
Unique feature: Distinctive black and white barred plumage with a red cap on the head, distinguishing it from other woodpeckers in its range.

Arizona Woodpecker

Woodpecker Types

Scientific Name: Leuconotopicus arizonae
Size: Approximately 6-7 inches long.
Weight: Around 1.5-2 ounces.
Geographical area: Found in southwestern United States and northern Mexico, particularly in desert and semi-desert habitats.
Population: Population size is uncertain but likely in the thousands.
Unique feature: Distinctive black and white barred plumage with a red cap on the head, similar to Nuttall’s Woodpecker but with a more limited geographic range.

Williamson’s Sapsucker

Woodpecker Types

Scientific Name: Sphyrapicus thyroideus
Size: Approximately 8-9 inches long.
Weight: Around 2-3 ounces.
Geographical area: Found in western North America, particularly in mountainous forests.
Population: Population size is uncertain but likely in the tens of thousands.
Unique feature: Males have striking black and white plumage with a red throat and a yellow belly, while females have more subdued plumage with yellowish underparts.

Gila Woodpecker

Woodpecker Types

Scientific Name: Melanerpes uropygialis
Size: Approximately 8-9 inches long.
Weight: Around 2-3 ounces.
Geographical area: Found in southwestern United States and northern Mexico, particularly in desert and arid habitats.
Population: Population size is uncertain but likely in the hundreds of thousands.
Unique feature: Known for its distinctive call, resembling a series of laughing or cackling sounds.

Conclusions on Woodpecker Types

The bird woodpecker is very charming, and have many species. Each specy is different from the other in physique and characteristics. The above mentioned 18 woodpecker types are the most common and well known types of woodpecker. I hope you find this article helpful for gaining  information about the woodpecker types. We have tried our best to show you real high qulaity images and provide you authentic information in a very interactive way. Join us for more information about the birds and animals. Thank You!

FAQ’s

What is the big type of woodpecker?

Biggest woodpecker types: The Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) was one of the largest woodpecker species, with a length of about 19 inches (48 centimeters) and a wingspan of up to 30 inches (76 centimeters), though it is now possibly extinct.

Is woodpecker a flying bird?

Yes, woodpeckers are flying birds known for their unique ability to climb tree trunks and use their strong beaks to hammer into wood in search of insects.

What is the rarest type of woodpecker?

The Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) is considered one of the rarest woodpeckers, with unconfirmed sightings in recent years and possibly extinct due to habitat loss and other factors.

Which is the most common woodpecker?

The Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) is one of the most common woodpecker species in North America, often found in forests, parks, and suburban areas.

What is the Colour of woodpecker?

Woodpeckers come in various colors, but many species have a combination of black, white, and red plumage, often with distinctive markings on their heads and wings.

What is the smallest woodpecker in the world?

The Lesser Antillean Woodpecker (Melanerpes dominicensis) is one of the smallest woodpecker species, found in the Caribbean, with a length of about 6 inches (15 centimeters).

What animal sounds like a woodpecker?

The Northern Flicker, a type of woodpecker, makes a drumming sound similar to that of a woodpecker when it pecks on trees to search for food or establish territory.

Is woodpecker a night bird?

No, woodpeckers are diurnal birds, meaning they are active during the day and rest or sleep at night like most other bird species.

What is the definition of a woodpecker?

A woodpecker is a bird characterized by its strong, chisel-like beak and stiff tail feathers, used for drilling into wood to search for insects or create nesting cavities.

What is the origin of the word woodpecker?

The term “woodpecker” originates from the Old English word “wudu” (meaning wood) and “pician” (meaning to peck or poke), reflecting the bird’s behavior of pecking into wood.