Throughout the year, we can hear the resounding “Rap-tap-tapping” of woodpeckers slamming their chisel-like beaks into the sides of trees, so why might we see more of them in autumn and winter?

The primary reason is because there is a lack of foliage to get in the way of our sight! Many of our local woodpeckers are small and can blend in with the tree bark, making them difficult to see, even if we can hear them really well. For example, the juvenile Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (seen in the image to the side here) has such incredible camouflage that if they are flush with the tree, it is so difficult to see them until they move!

So what woodpeckers might we see in this area?

Downy Woodpecker

This is the smallest of our local woodpeckers. It can be distinguished from the Hairy Woodpecker by its smaller size and short, stubby beak, otherwise they look very similar. The males have a red patch on the back of their heads, while the females lack that bright color. They primarily eat beetle larvae and caterpillars, however a small portion of their diet is herbivorous. They can be seen at feeders, picking at black oil sunflower seeds, suet, or berries.  

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

As mentioned earlier, this bird has incredible camouflage! The adults are primarily black and white with a red patch on their heads, although the males do have an extra red patch on their necks as well. The juveniles are brownish in color, which makes the checkered pattern on their backs difficult to see when they are perched on furrowed bark.

While they are classified as woodpeckers, they don’t go after insects like most of the other local woodpeckers do. These birds create rows of tiny, shallow holes in tree bark which allows the sap to flow freely and they will lick up that sugary sap. Think of these wounds as paper cuts that we might get – easy to heal, but we still might bleed from them!

Red-bellied Woodpecker

This medium sized woodpecker has a vibrant red cap, although the female’s red head doesn’t extend to her beak like it does in the male’s. Their chests, despite the name, are primarily a whitish-cream color, but you can see a smidgen of rusty-cinnamon color there too! They are often seen in the tops of trees, foraging for spiders. They do eat plenty of nuts, however! The Red-bellied woodpecker can often be found picking apart pinecones in search of seeds, visiting peanut feeders, and cracking open acorns. While not super common, these birds can be vicious predators too, hunting small lizards and fish, as well as nesting birds!

Pileated Woodpecker

This is our largest woodpecker, with a wingspan of roughly 30 inches! They require woodland habitat, and rarely visit feeders, so these can be harder to spot. When hiking, search dead and dying trees for rectangular holes, which are uniquely made by the Pileated Woodpecker.  Contrary to what we might think this large bird’s favorite insect food might be, they really love tiny ants! They can be seen foraging for a long period of time in one tree, slurping out termites and Carpenter Ants.

Protecting Woodpeckers

Most of our native woodpecker species require dead trees and cavities as nesting sites. Do you have a dead tree in your yard or community that needs to come down for the safety of buildings, cars, power lines, or people? Consider leaving a wildlife snag. This is a dead tree that has been specifically cut to reduce the number of limbs that could fall and cause damage during storms or high winds. Usually, 15-25 feet of trunk is left behind to provide habitat for wildlife and to be decomposed naturally. 

Another way to help them is to provide seed, nut, mealworm, and suet feeders in the late fall to early winter. Many insects have become dormant, so there is an increase in competition for food resources. You will fall in love with the biodiversity of birds that come to these sorts of feeders this time of year! 

Finally, shop wildlife and woodpecker merch from The Art of Ecology! Stickers are perfect for sparking conversations about ecology and the importance of woodland biodiversity. Plus, a portion of the proceeds benefits wildlife conservation efforts.