With images and important data, we’ll cover the most prevalent woodpeckers in North Dakota. Only reputable sources were used, and an Ornithologist was consulted to verify the facts.
Woodpeckers are a common sight in North Dakota. There are many different types of woodpeckers, and they can be found in every corner of the state. We will discuss the different types of woodpeckers that can be found in North Dakota, as well as their habits and habitats. We will also provide some tips on how to identify different woodpecker species.
Most Common Woodpeckers in North Dakota
Red-headed Woodpeckers
The Red-headed Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker, about the size of a crow. They have a characteristic redhead and black body. They are usually seen in open areas near woods or water.
Red-headed Woodpeckers eat insects, acorns, fruits, and nuts. They store acorns in trees for winter.
Red-headed Woodpeckers can be aggressive when defending their territory. They will drum on metal objects to make a noise that warns other birds away.
Red-headed Woodpecker males and females look alike. The redhead is the most obvious difference between male and female woodpeckers.
The Red-headed Woodpecker is a common bird in North Dakota. Look for them near woods or water, eating insects, acorns, fruits, and nuts. They can be aggressive when defending their territory, so watch out for their loud drumming!
Male and female Red-headed Woodpeckers look alike, with the most obvious difference being the redhead. So if you see a woodpecker with a redhead, you know it’s a Red-headed Woodpecker!
Black-backed Woodpeckers
The Black-backed Woodpecker is a small woodpecker that is found in North America. This bird has a black back and wings, with a white belly and breast. The male Black-backed Woodpecker has a red cap, while the female has a brown cap. These birds are about 11 inches in length and have a wingspan of about 16 inches.
Black-backed Woodpeckers are found in forests and wooded areas throughout North America. These birds mainly eat insects, but they will also eat fruit, nuts, and seeds. Black-backed Woodpeckers can be easily identified by their black back and wings. They are smaller than most other woodpeckers, and the male has a red cap. These birds are mainly insectivores, but will also eat fruit, nuts, and seeds. Black-backed Woodpeckers can be found in forests and wooded areas throughout North America.
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus)
The pileated woodpecker is North America’s largest woodpecker and the most common in the eastern United States. These birds are easily identified by their characteristic black and white plumage, red crest, and large size. Pileated woodpeckers measure about 18 inches in length and weigh around 12 ounces.
Pileated woodpeckers are generalists, feeding on a variety of insects, fruits, and nuts. They often forage in trees, but can also be seen on the ground or in open areas. These birds are monogamous and territorial, mating for life and defending their territory from other pileated woodpeckers.
Pileated woodpeckers are found in a variety of habitats, from forests to suburban areas. They prefer mature trees with large cavities for nesting, but will also use artificial nest boxes. These birds are cavity nesters, and the female typically lays two or three eggs.
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)
The Downy Woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker in North America, measuring just six to seven inches in length. Its back is black with white stripes running down its sides, and its belly is white. The male has a red patch on the back of its head, while the female does not. Both sexes have black bars running across their tails.
Downy Woodpeckers are found in woodlands across North America. They breed in the spring and typically lay four to six eggs per clutch. The female incubates the eggs for about two weeks before they hatch. Both parents feed the young birds until they are old enough to fend for themselves.
Downy Woodpeckers eat a variety of insects, as well as seeds and berries. They use their long tongues to reach deep into crevices to extract food. Downy Woodpeckers are also known to eat tree sap.
These little birds are fun to watch as they flit around in search of food.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
The Red-bellied Woodpecker is a small to medium-sized woodpecker that is found in North America. The bird has a redhead and breast, with a white belly and black wings. The back of the bird is grayish-brown. The tail is black with white bars. The bill is black and the legs are gray. The female Red-bellied Woodpecker has a brown head and breast, with the rest of the body being similar to the male.
The Red-bellied Woodpecker is a cavity nester, which means that it will make its nest in a hole in a tree. The bird will also use man-made structures, such as houses and buildings, to make its nest. The Red-bellied Woodpecker will eat insects, berries, and nuts. The bird is also known to visit bird feeders.
The Red-bellied Woodpecker is found in wooded areas across North America. The bird prefers deciduous forests, but can also be found in coniferous forests. The Red-bellied Woodpecker is a non-migratory bird, which means that it will stay in the same area year-round.
The Red-bellied Woodpecker is a common bird that is not considered to be at risk of extinction.
Green-barred Woodpecker
The Green-barred Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker that is found in the eastern half of the United States. They are identifiable by their green and white barred feathers, which give them their name. These birds prefer to live in open areas near forests or fields, where they can find food.
Green-barred Woodpeckers eat insects, fruits, and seeds. They are also known to raid bird feeders for sunflower seeds. These woodpeckers are usually solitary birds, but they will sometimes form small flocks during the winter.
Green-barred Woodpeckers are monogamous birds and both the male and female take care of the young. The nest is a hole in a tree that is usually about 12 feet off the ground. The eggs are white and there are usually four or five eggs in a clutch.
Green-barred Woodpeckers are considered to be common birds, but they can be difficult to find because they are shy and secretive. They are also not often seen at bird feeders.
Related post: Types of Woodpeckers in Alaska
Lewis’s Woodpecker
The Lewis’s Woodpecker is a beautiful bird that can be found in North Dakota. This woodpecker is black with white stripes on its back and wings. The male has a red cap, while the female has a black cap. These woodpeckers are about 15 inches long with a wingspan of 24 inches. They eat insects, larvae, and berries. Lewis’s Woodpeckers are named after Meriwether Lewis, who was the first to document this species of woodpecker.
If you’re lucky enough to see a Lewis’s Woodpecker in North Dakota, you’ll be able to appreciate its beauty and uniqueness.
Hoffmann’s Woodpecker
Hoffmann’s Woodpecker is a beautiful bird with black and white plumage. They are found in North Dakota and other parts of the United States. These woodpeckers are very interesting birds and have many unique characteristics. Some of these include their long tongues, which they use to reach deep into crevices to find food, and their nesting habits.
Hoffmann’s Woodpeckers are also known for their loud calls, which can be heard for miles around. If you’re ever lucky enough to see one of these birds up close, you’ll certainly be impressed by their beauty and uniqueness.
Pileated Woodpeckers
The Pileated Woodpecker is one of the biggest, most striking forest birds in North America. Its plumage is mostly black, with large white wing patches and a flaming-red crest. Both sexes look alike. Male and female Pileated Woodpeckers excavate nest cavities in trees or stumps, usually 20 to 30 feet above the ground.
They are usually seen in pairs or small family groups, foraging on the trunks and branches of trees for insects. Pileated Woodpeckers can also be attracted to backyard bird feeders by offering suet or a mix of seeds and nuts.
Pileated Woodpeckers have a wingspan of 26 to 30 inches and are 16 to 19 inches long. Their loud, drumming calls can be heard for up to a mile away in the woods. Pileated Woodpeckers are hardy birds, and their populations have increased in recent years as forests have matured across much of North America.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a medium-sized woodpecker with black and white plumage. They have a red cap and throat, and a yellow belly. They are found in North America east of the Rocky Mountains.
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are cavity nesters, meaning they build their nests in holes in trees. They eat mostly sap from trees, but also eat insects. You can often find them near sugar maples, as they love the sap from these trees.
If you’re lucky enough to spot a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, you’ll be able to see one of North America’s coolest birds!
Northern Flicker
The Northern Flicker is a beautiful bird that is relatively easy to identify. They are brown with black bars on their wings and a red patch on their lower back. The male has a black mustache mark which the female does not have. These birds are part of the woodpecker family and are often seen clinging to tree trunks or flying from tree to tree. Northern Flickers are ground foragers and eat a variety of insects, including ants, as well as fruits and seeds. They can be found in open woodlands, parks, orchards, and residential areas.
Northern Flickers are very active birds and are often seen hopping on the ground or zipping through the trees. They are also known to visit backyard bird feeders. These birds mate for life and the nesting season is from late April to early July. Both the male and female help build the nest which is usually made in a tree cavity or woodpecker hole. The female lays anywhere from four to eight eggs which hatch in about two weeks. Once the young birds leave the nest, they are on their own.
Northern Flickers are wonderful birds to watch and enjoy. If you’re lucky enough to see one up close, you’ll be treated to a beautiful bird with an interesting story.
Northern Flickers are relatively easy to identify because of their distinct features.
