We’ll present the most common woodpeckers in New York with photographs and important information. The data was obtained from trustworthy sources and confirmed by an Ornithologist.
There are many different types of woodpeckers that can be found in New York. Some of the most common include the red-headed woodpecker, the downy woodpecker, and the hairy woodpecker. Woodpeckers are interesting birds that are known for their unique behavior of pecking on trees to find food. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of woodpeckers that can be found in New York, as well as their habits and behaviors.
Most Common Woodpeckers in New York
Black-backed Woodpecker
The Black-backed Woodpecker is a small to medium-sized woodpecker with a black back, wings, and tail. The head, neck, and breast are white with a black band across the breast. The bill is black and the legs and feet are grey.
Adult males have a red patch on the back of the head. These woodpeckers are found in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
They live in forests and woodlands where they can find a variety of trees to forage on. They mainly eat insects, but also eat fruit, nuts, and seeds. Black-backed Woodpeckers use their long tongues to extract insects from crevices in trees. They also hammer tree bark to find insects.
Black-backed Woodpeckers are monogamous and the pair bond is strong. The male helps build the nest and incubates the eggs. The chicks stay with the parents for several months after hatching.
These woodpeckers are considered to be very rare in New York State. They are listed as a threatened species in New York. The Black-backed Woodpecker is protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Downy Woodpecker
The Downy Woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker in North America, measuring just six to seven inches in length. The adult male has a black back and head, with a white belly and throat.
The adult female is similar but usually has a smaller patch of red on the back of her head. Both sexes have a black bill and black wings with white bars. The tail is black with white outer feathers. Juveniles are similar to adults but have duller plumage.
Downy Woodpeckers can be found in forests, woodlands, orchards, and suburban areas throughout North America.
They are most common in the eastern United States and southern Canada, but can also be found in the western states and provinces. Downy Woodpeckers are year-round residents and do not migrate.
Downy Woodpeckers are active during the day and spend most of their time searching for food. They eat insects, spiders, berries, and other small fruits. Downy Woodpeckers use their strong bills to peck into tree bark in search of insects.
They also use their long, sticky tongues to lick up insects from the surface of trees or branches.
Downy Woodpeckers are common in New York and can be found in most parts of the state. They are especially common in forests, woodlands, and suburban areas.
Downy Woodpeckers are year-round residents and do not migrate. If you’re lucky, you may spot one of these little birds pecking away at a tree in your backyard!
Northern Flicker
The Northern Flicker is a medium-sized woodpecker that has a distinct black and white barred pattern on its wings. They are usually brown or gray in color, but can also be red on the chest. Northern Flickers are found in open woodlands, parks, and gardens. They often forage on the ground for insects, but they can also be found in trees. Northern Flickers are known for their loud “wicka-wicka-wicka” call.
Northern Flickers are monogamous and both the male and female help build the nest. The nest is a simple hole in a tree, and the eggs are incubated by both parents. The young Flickers fledge (leave the nest) after about 28 days.
Northern Flickers are omnivorous and eat a variety of insects, berries, nuts, and seeds. They can be helpful in controlling insect populations.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a medium-sized woodpecker with a blackhead, white neck and chest, and yellow belly. They have a red mustache and cap, and the male has a black throat. These birds are found in forests throughout North America.
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are insectivores and eat a variety of insects, including beetles, ants, and caterpillars. They also eat sap from trees, which is where they get their name.
These birds use their specially adapted bills to drill small holes in tree bark so that they can drink the sap.
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are interesting birds to watch because of their unique behavior.
They often return to the same tree day after day to drink the sap. This can cause damage to the tree, but it also provides a food source for other animals, such as insects and small mammals.
Related post: Types of Woodpeckers in Colorado
Red-headed Woodpecker
The red-headed woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker with a black back, white underparts, and a striking redhead. They have a long, straight bill and stiff tail feathers that they use as props while climbing tree trunks.
Red-headed woodpeckers inhabit deciduous forests in the eastern and central United States, as well as in parts of southern Canada. They are cavity nesters and prefer to make their homes in dead trees or partially rotted stumps.
Red-headed woodpeckers are omnivores and eat a variety of insects, fruits, nuts, and seeds. They forage on tree trunks and branches, using their long bills to pry insects from crevices in the bark.
During the breeding season, red-headed woodpeckers are monogamous and pairs will often stay together for several years. The female lays between three and eight eggs in a nest cavity that both parents help to excavate.
Both parents also take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the young.
Red-headed woodpeckers are generally shy birds and are not often seen by people. However, they can be quite vocal and may give a loud “kuk kuk” call when alarmed. They are also known to drum on tree trunks with their bills as a means of communication.
Pileated Woodpeckers
They are the largest woodpecker in North America, and their drumming can be heard up to a mile away. They nest in cavities in trees, and their diet consists mostly of insects.
Pileated Woodpeckers are also known to eat fruits and nuts.
Pileated Woodpeckers are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and parks. They are most commonly seen near water sources, such as streams and rivers.
Pileated Woodpeckers can be active during the day or night, but they are typically more active during the morning and evening.
These woodpeckers feed primarily on insects, but they will also eat fruits and nuts. They typically drill into dead trees to get at the insects inside, but they will also search for food on the ground or in branches.
Pileated Woodpeckers are known to store acorns and other nuts in cracks and crevices in trees.
Pileated Woodpecker pairs often mate for life. The female typically lays four eggs in a nest made of wood chips and bark. Both parents help incubate the eggs and care for the young birds.
Pileated Woodpeckers are known to use their bills to make drumming sounds on trees, which is thought to be a form of communication.
Hairy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpeckers are one of the largest woodpecker species in North America, and they’re also one of the most widespread.
They’re found in forests across Canada and the United States, including right here in New York.
These birds are easily identified by their size, black and white plumage, and prominent red crest.
They use their strong bill and long tongue to peck into tree trunks in search of insects, which make up the majority of their diet. Hairy Woodpeckers can also be seen clinging to tree branches or flying short distances between trees.
They’re most active during the day, but they can sometimes be seen feeding at night.
During the breeding season, male Hairy Woodpeckers will perform a drumming display to attract a mate. After mating, the female will excavate a nest hole in a tree and lay her eggs inside.
American Three-toed Woodpecker
The American Three-toed Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker with black and white barred plumage.
They have a long, slightly curved bill and three toes on each foot which gives them their name. These birds are found in forests across North America but are most common in the east.
American Three-toed Woodpeckers are insectivores and feed mostly on ants, beetles, and other insects. They forage by pecking at trees and logs to find their prey. These woodpeckers also eat fruit and nuts when they can find them.
American Three-toed Woodpeckers are monogamous birds and pairs stay together year-round. They build their nests in tree cavities, often using abandoned woodpecker holes.
The female lays between four and six eggs, which both parents help to incubate. Young birds fledge after about two months.
American Three-toed Woodpeckers are common throughout their range and are not considered to be at risk. However, like other woodpeckers, they are susceptible to habitat loss and fragmentation.
Forest management practices that maintain large tracts of uninterrupted forestland are important for the long-term conservation of these birds.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
The Red-bellied Woodpecker is a small to medium-sized woodpecker with distinctive red markings on its belly and head. It is found in woodlands throughout the eastern United States, as well as parts of Canada and Mexico.
These birds are known for their loud, characteristic calls, which they often use to communicate with other members of their species.
Red-bellied Woodpeckers are also known for their acrobatic abilities, as they are often seen clinging to tree trunks and branches in search of food.
The diet of a Red-bellied Woodpecker typically consists of insects, larvae, and other small invertebrates. These birds will also eat fruits and nuts when they are available.
Red-bellied Woodpeckers typically live in wooded areas near water, where they can find an abundance of food sources. They are also known to migrate southward during the winter months.
The Red-bellied Woodpecker is found in woodlands throughout the eastern United States, as well as parts of Canada and Mexico. These birds prefer to live in deciduous forests, where there are plenty of trees for them to climb and forage for food.
Red-bellied Woodpeckers are also known to inhabit urban areas, where they can often be seen pecking at buildings and other structures in search of food.
How to attract woodpeckers?
There are a few things you can do to attract woodpeckers to your yard or garden. One is to provide them with a food source. Woodpeckers are attracted to insects, so if you have an insect problem, chances are you’ll also have woodpeckers! You can also put up a bird feeder filled with nuts and seeds, which will attract woodpeckers (and other birds) to your yard.
Another way to attract woodpeckers is to provide them with a place to nest. You can do this by putting up a birdhouse or nesting box in your yard. Be sure to put it up high, away from any potential predators.
If you provide woodpeckers with a food source and a place to nest, they’ll likely stick around your yard for a while! So if you’re looking to add some feathered friends to your outdoor space, give these tips a try.
Can you shoot woodpeckers in New York?
The simple answer is no, you cannot shoot woodpeckers in New York. However, there are a few caveats to this rule. First and foremost, it is illegal to shoot any bird in New York State without a permit from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Secondly, even if you were to obtain a permit to shoot a woodpecker, it is important to note that woodpeckers are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. This act makes it unlawful to shoot any migratory bird without a special permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
What is the biggest woodpecker in New York State?
The answer may surprise you! The biggest woodpecker in New York State is actually the Pileated Woodpecker. This bird is about 18 inches long and has a wingspan of about 30 inches. The Pileated Woodpecker is also one of the loudest birds in North America. These birds are usually found in forests, but they can also be found in urban areas.
