Discover the Woodpeckers, Sapsuckers, and Flickers of the Midwest Region; the heart of North America. This comprehensive guide covers the diverse species found in Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, as well as the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
This comprehensive guide features detailed species accounts with information on identification, habitat, range, behavior, food, nesting, breeding, lifespan, population status, and conservation concerns. The accounts are accompanied by custom-made ID images, making it a valuable resource for both novice and experienced bird enthusiasts.
- Key Habitat Types and Woodpecker Diversity in the Midwest Region
- Woodpecker of the Midwest Region (Nine (9) Species)
- Ecological role of Woodpeckers in the Ecosystems of the Midwest Region
- Adaptation to Disturbances
- Woodpecker-Human Interactions in the Midwest Region (Central Region)
- Threats to Woodpeckers in the Midwest Region

Key Habitat Types and Woodpecker Diversity in the Midwest Region
The Midwest Region of North America, encompassing parts of the Northeastern Forest, Great Plains, and Eastern Temperate Forest. The region hosts a relatively low diversity of woodpecker species (nine (9) species) compared to other regions. This reduced diversity may be explained by the extensive treeless prairie plains that dominate much of the area.
Most woodpeckers prefer mature forests with a variety of tree species, snags, and fallen logs for foraging and nesting. While the treeless expanses of the Great Plains limit woodpecker diversity, some species have adapted to this environment.
Northern Flicker: Often found in open habitats, foraging on the ground for ants.
Red-headed Woodpecker: Adapts to open woodlands and forest edges.
Woodpecker, Sapsuckers, and Flickers
The 9 species featured in this guide belong to the avian family Picidae, which encompasses woodpeckers, sapsuckers, and flickers. They are classified into four groups based on their taxonomic affinities, as follows:

Melanerpini (Melanerpes) Group: Include medium size woodpeckers and sapsuckers with colorful plumages.
1.Red-headed Woodpecker
2. Red-bellied Woodpecker
3. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Campetherini (Picoides) Group: Small to medium-sized woodpeckers with black upperparts, often with white barring, and white underparts.
1. Downy Woodpecker
2. Hairy Woodpecker
3. Black-backed Woodpecker
4. Three-toed Woodpecker
Colaptini (Colaptes) Group: Medium-sized woodpeckers with predominantly brown barred and spotted plumages with brightly colored underwings.
1. Northern Flicker
Campephilini (Dryocopus) Group: Large woodpeckers with bold black and white plumage.
1. Pileated Woodpecker
See also other Regional Guides to the Woodpeckers of North America
Woodpecker of the Midwest Region (Nine (9) Species)
Red-headed Woodpecker

Identification: The Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) has an unmistakable plumage pattern. The head is crimson, the back is black with a solid band of white. The underparts are pure white. Male and female have the same plumage. Juveniles have brown heads.
Habitat: Open and semi-open woodlands with short or clear understory. It also occurs in similar habitats in suburban areas.
Range: The Red-headed Woodpecker is a breeding visitor (Spring and Summer) in Southern Manitoba and Saskatchewan, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota and the western half of Kansas. It is a year-round resident in the eastern half of Kansas, all of Missouri, and most of Iowa.
Movements: The Red-headed Woodpecker is a short distance migrant. It expand its range westward and northward during the spring and Summer.
Behavior: Red-headed woodpeckers perch on bare branches, snags, and utility poles they often use as a base for sallying out to catch insects. They are usually seen in pairs or family groups. In the fall, they collect nuts and acorns.
Food: Red-headed woodpeckers have a mixed diet that includes invertebrates and plant-based food. They eat spiders, beetles, acorns, berries, and seeds.
Nest: Red-headed woodpeckers can excavate a new cavity in about 2 weeks. Nest cavities are excavated in dead wood and are approximately 5 inches deep. They have a round entrance hole of about 2 inches in diameter.
Breeding: Breeding months: mid-March through early September. Clutch size: 3-10 eggs. Egg color: white. Incubation period: 12 days. Nestling period 28 days.
Lifespan: Red-headed woodpeckers live at least 9 years and 11 months.
How many are there?: The number of red-headed woodpeckers in North America is approximately 1.8 million.
Conservation: The North American Breeding Bird Survey indicates that the population of the Red-headed Woodpecker has declined an estimated 56% since the year 1966.
Red-bellied Woodpecker

Identification: The Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) has black and white barring on the back and wings and light warm brown on the sides of the head, breast, and belly. The red on the lower belly is not conspicuous.
Habitat: The Red-bellied Woodpecker is the most widespread of all woodpeckers in the region. It is found just about anywhere with trees, in deciduous woodlands and semi-open habitats. It is also common in forested suburban areas.
Range: The Red-bellied Woodpecker is a year-round resident throughout the Midwest Region. It is absent from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, N and S Dakota, and the western half of Nebraska.
Movements: It is considered a year-round resident but in some years wanders outside its regular range in search of food.
Behavior: Red-bellied woodpeckers hitch along trunks and branches of trees, usually alone. They do more picking at the bark to find insects than drilling into it. It has a characteristic undulating flight pattern.
Food: Red-bellied woodpeckers have a mixed diet that includes invertebrates and plant-based food. They eat spiders, beetles, acorns, berries, and seeds. They can even eat small lizards if they can catch them.
Nest: Red-bellied woodpeckers excavate their cavities in dead wood. Nest cavities are approximately 27 cm deep and typically have a round entrance hole of about 11 cm in diameter. It is one of the few woodpeckers that take nesting boxes.
Breeding season: Breeding months: early April through mid-September. Clutch size: 2-6 eggs. Incubation period: 12 days. Nestling period: 26 days.
Lifespan: Red-bellied woodpeckers live at least 12 years and 3 months.
How many are there?: The estimated number of red-bellied woodpeckers in North America is 16 million.
Conservation: Considered a species of Least Concern (IUCN).
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Identification: The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) has a black and white back with a characteristic solid white wing patch. The belly is mostly white. Males have a red cap and throat while females have a white throat. Juveniles have a brownish-gray color pattern.
Habitat: It favors hardwood and coniferous woodlands. It is fairly common in semi-open forested suburban areas.
Range: Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers is a breeding visitor (Spring and Summer) in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, the eastern half of N Dakota. It is a year-round resident in Kansas and Missouri. It is only a transient during the Spring and Fall migrations in the states of South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa.
Movements: The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is one of the few highly migratory woodpeckers. As early as September and October, they initiate their southward migration to the wintering grounds in southern U.S., Mexico, West Indies, and Central America.
Behavior: The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker clings to trunks and branches of trees, usually alone. It typically drills rows of sap wells into tree bark to obtain sap. Its typical drumming sounds like morse code.
Food: The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker relies on sap as the main food source. It drills rows of sap wells into tree bark to harvest the content. It also eats ants and spiders and catches insects in the air. They also eat fruit.
Nest: Yellow-bellied sapsuckers excavate their cavities in dead wood. Cavities can be excavated in 2-3 weeks and are approximately 10 inches deep. The entrance hole is round, about 1.5 in diameter.
Breeding season: Breeding months: mid-May through mid-July. Clutch size: 4-6 eggs. Egg color: white. Incubation period: 12 days. Nestling period: 28 days.
Lifespan: Yellow-bellied sapsuckers live at least 7 years and 9 months.
How many are there?: The estimated number of yellow-bellied sapsuckers in North America is 14 million individuals.
Conservation: Considered a species of Least Concern (IUCN).
Downy Woodpecker

Identification: The Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) is a tiny black and white woodpecker. Males have a red spot on the nape, which is missing in the female. Note the relatively short bill.
Habitat: It favors deciduous woodlands. They also forage in tall bushes and landscape plants. They are common in semi-open woodlands in urban areas.
Range: The Downy Woodpecker is the most widespread species found as a year-round resident in all of the States and Provinces within the Midwest Region.
Movements: It is considered a sedentary woodpecker.
Behavior: Downy woodpeckers hitch acrobatically up, down, and around small branches and twigs, peeling and hammering into bark and wood for beetle larvae, ants, and other invertebrates.
Food: Downy woodpeckers eat mainly insects that live inside the wood, as well as ants and caterpillars. Their diet also includes berries, acorns, and grains. They are frequent visitors of backyard bird feeders.
Nest: Downy woodpeckers excavate their cavities in dead wood in 1 to 3 weeks. Nest cavities are approximately 9 in deep and typically have a round entrance hole of about 1-1.5 in diameter.
Breeding season: Breeding months: early April through late July. Clutch size: 3-8 eggs. Egg color: white. Incubation period: 12 days. Nestling period: 19 days.
Lifespan: Downy woodpeckers live at least 11 years and 11 months.
How many are there?: The estimated number of downy woodpeckers in North America is 13 million.
Conservation: Considered a species of Least Concern (IUCN).
Hairy Woodpecker

Identification: The Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) has a black and white head, back, wings, and white underparts. Adult males have a red nape patch, which is missing in females. It is larger and longer-billed than the downy woodpecker.
Habitat: Hairy woodpeckers use a variety of forest types, but they tend to prefer mature forests where wood boring beetle larvae are readily found. It often concentrates in areas with many dead trees, particularly after burns. It occurs in suburban areas.
Range: The Hairy Woodpecker is the second most widespread species found as a year-round resident in all of the States and Provinces within the Midwest Region.
Movements: It is considered a year-round resident species.
Behavior: Hairy woodpeckers hitch along the trunk and branches at all heights, from near the ground to tree tops. It actively drills bark and deadwood to find beetle larvae.
Food: Hairy woodpeckers feed on mostly larvae of wood boring beetles, ants, and other invertebrates. A small part of its diet includes fruit and seeds. It is a frequent visitor to backyard bird feeders.
Nest: Hairy woodpeckers excavate their cavities in dead wood. Nest cavities are approximately 10 in deep and typically have a slightly oblong entrance hole of about 2 in high and 1.5 in wide.
Breeding season: Breeding months: mid-March through late July. Clutch size: 3-6 eggs. Egg color: white. Incubation period: 13 days. Nestling period: 29 days.
Lifespan: Hairy woodpeckers live at least 15 years and 11 months.
How many are there?: The estimated number of hairy woodpeckers in North America is 8.7 million.
Conservation: Considered a species of Least Concern (IUCN).
American Three-toed Woodpecker

Identification: The male American Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis) is a small black and white bird with a yellow patch on the forehead. Females lack the yellow patch, while juveniles of both sexes have a small yellow crown patch.
Habitat: Prefers disturbed forests, such as young burned areas, bark beetle outbreaks, and windthrows in western and northern coniferous forests.
Range: The American Three-toed Woodpecker is a bird of the far north. It is a year-round resident in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. There is an isolated population in South Dakota.
Movements: It is considered a year-round resident but in some years wanders outside its regular range in search of food.
Behavior: Three-toed Woodpeckers typically forages alone, but in pairs during the breeding season. Both sexes call and drum frequently in the spring and early summer.
Food: Mainly beetle larvae and insects by flaking or scaling bark from tree trunks.
Nest: Excavates its own cavities in the trunk of a small, dead coniferous tree. The entrance hole is round and averages about 1.6 inches in diameter.
Breeding: Breeding months: mid May through late July. Clutch size: 3-7 eggs. Egg color: white. Incubation period: 13 days.
Lifespan: The lifespan of the American Three-toed Woodpecker is not known.
How many are there?: Partners in Flight estimates the global breeding population of the American Three-toed Woodpecker to be 1.6 million.
Conservation: Considered a species of least concern (IUCN).
Black-Backed Woodpecker

Identification: Adult male Black-backed Woodpeckers (Picoides dorsalis) have a solid black back with a yellow crown patch, a white stripe on the face, fine black barring on their flanks, and white underparts. Adult females are similar but lack the yellow crown patch. Juveniles resemble females, but they have a yellow crown patch.
Habitat: Prefers coniferous forests, particularly recently burned. In areas with less frequent fires, they may inhabit areas with dead trees from bark beetle outbreaks or wooded bogs.
Range: The Black-backed Woodpecker is also a bird of the far north. It is a year-round resident in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. There is an isolated population in South Dakota..
Movements: The Black-backed Woodpecker is a year-round resident within its range.
Behavior: Black-backed Woodpeckers are highly mobile birds that wander in search of burned forests for feeding and nesting.
Food: Primarily consumes wood-boring beetle larvae. Pecks through bark to locate larvae or inserting their long tongues into larval tunnels.
Nest: Excave its cavities in dead or sometimes live trees, usually on the main trunk. The entrance hole is about 1.8 inches in diameter. The cavity chamber is approximately 4 inches in diameter and 8 inches deep.
Breeding: Breeding months: early May through mid August. Clutch size: 2-6 eggs. Egg color: white. Incubation period: approx. 13 days. Nestling period: 24 days.
Lifespan: The oldest recorded Black-backed Woodpecker was at least 4 years and 11 months old.
How many are there?: Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 1.7 million Black-backed Woodpeckers.
Conservation: Considered a species of Least Concern (IUCN).
Northern Flicker

Identification: The Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) is one of the largest woodpeckers in the region. It is warm-brown with black barring on the back and wings and large black spots on the belly. It has a conspicuous black crescent on the chest. Males have a black malar stripe, which is missing in the female.
Habitat: It is typically found in semi-open or open habitats with scattered trees. Lightly wooded suburban areas and edges of agricultural land are also favored by the Northern Flicker.
Range: The Northern Flicker is a breeding visitor during the Spring and Summer in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, as well as northern North Dakota and N. Minnesota. It is a breeding year-round resident in the rest of the Midwest Region (Central Region).
Movements: It is considered a year-round in most of the Midwest Region, but perform short distance migrations northward to the breeding grounds during the Spring and Summer.
Behavior: Unlike other woodpeckers in the region, the Northern Flicker forages for food on the grounds and tends to perch on horizontal rather than vertical branches, not using its tail as a prop. It has an undulating flight pattern.
Food: Northern flickers eat insects, particularly ants, ant larvae, and beetles on the ground. They peck at ant colonies in search of ant larvae. They also hammer cow patties to get the insect larvae inside or underneath. Northern flickers also include fruits and seeds in their diet, particularly in the winter months.
Nest: The Northern Flicker excavates their cavities in dead wood. Typically, nest cavities are 14 inches deep with semi-oval entrance holes of 3 inches in diameter.
Breeding season: Breeding months: late April through early August. Clutch size: 5-8 eggs. Egg color: white. Incubation period: 12 days. Nestling period: 25 days.
Lifespan: Northern flickers live at least 9 years and 2 months.
How many are there?: The estimated number of northern flickers in North America is 11 million.
Conservation: Considered a species of Least Concern (IUCN).
Pileated Woodpecker

Identification: The Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is mostly black with white stripes on the head and neck. Male and female have red crests, but only the male shows a red malar stripe. In flight, the extended wings show white patches and white underneath.
Habitat: It is typically found in mature deciduous or coniferous forests with large trees. It uses semi-open woodlands in suburban areas.
Range: The Pileated Woodpecker is a year-resident in central Manitoba and Saskatchewan. It is also a year-round resident in most of Minnesota, eastern Iowa, most of Missouri, and just the South East corner of Kansas.
Movements: It is considered a year-round resident but in some years may wander outside its regular range in search of food.
Behavior: The Pileated Woodpecker forages for food alone or in pairs. It often excavates large rectangular holes in search of carpenter ants and beetle larvae. The sound of its wood chopping action can be heard from a distance.
Food: Pileated woodpeckers feed on mostly insects, particularly carpenter ants. It also eats beetle larvae and other invertebrates it finds inside the bark and wood. They also include fruit, berries, holly, and dogwood in their diet.
Nest: Pileated woodpeckers can excavate a nesting cavity in 3-6 weeks. Unlike other woodpeckers, the entrance to a pileated woodpecker cavity is oblong rather than circular. Nest cavities are approximately 16 in deep. It almost never reuses the same cavity after use for breeding.
Breeding season: Breeding months: early March through mid-July. Clutch size: 3-5 eggs. Egg color: white. Incubation period: 17 days. Nestling period: 28 days.
Lifespan: Pileated woodpeckers live at least 12 years and 11 months.
How many are there?: The estimated number of pileated woodpeckers in North America is 2.6 million.
Conservation: Considered a species of Least Concern (IUCN).
Ecological role of Woodpeckers in the Ecosystems of the Midwest Region
Woodpeckers are keystone species in the Midwest Region (Central Region), acting as ecosystem engineers. Their importance stems from:
- Creating cavities for other wildlife
- Controlling insect populations
- Aiding in forest regeneration
These activities significantly impact forest health, biodiversity, and overall ecosystem resilience. As such, woodpeckers are crucial to maintaining the ecological balance in Northeastern woodlands.
Their ecological importance can be summarized in several key aspects:
Cavity Creation
Woodpeckers are primary cavity excavators, creating essential habitats for a wide range of species:
- They excavate cavities in trees that serve as nesting and roosting sites for over 40 species of North American birds, including swallows, chickadees, wrens, and flycatchers.
- Small mammals, reptiles, and invertebrates also utilize these cavities for shelter.
- In recently burned forests, woodpecker cavities are quickly occupied, with over 85% used by secondary cavity dwellers within the first year.
Insect Control
Woodpeckers play a key role in controlling insect populations
- They are attracted to trees afflicted with pests, such as ash trees affected by the emerald ash borer, helping to control these invasive species.
- Their foraging habits help regulate insect populations, contributing to overall forest health.
Forest Regeneration
Woodpeckers contribute to forest regeneration and ecosystem health through seed dispersal mechanisms, particularly when consuming fruits, berries, and seeds from various plant species. As they move between foraging sites, they transport and deposit seeds across different forest locations, facilitating plant reproduction and landscape-level biodiversity.
Adaptation to Disturbances
Woodpeckers, particularly species like the black-backed woodpecker, play a vital role in post-disturbance forest ecosystems:
- They readily utilize fire-killed trees for nesting and foraging, contributing to the ecological recovery of burned areas.
- Their activities in burned forests create habitats that enable other species to occupy and use these areas, facilitating diverse ecosystem functions.
Woodpecker-Human Interactions in the Midwest Region (Central Region)
Woodpeckers have a complex relationship with humans, exhibiting both beneficial interactions and conflicts. On the positive side, woodpeckers serve as natural pest controllers by feeding on wood-boring insects, which helps maintain healthy trees and forests. Their cavity excavation also creates nesting sites for secondary cavity-nesting birds and other wildlife, enhancing local biodiversity.
However, conflicts often arise, particularly in suburban and wooded areas where woodpeckers may cause property damage. Common issues include:
Drilling into wooden structures, which can lead to significant repair costs.
The noise from their pecking can also be disruptive, especially during the breeding season.
In the Midwest Region, particularly in the treeless plains, these problems may not be as prevalent due to the low density of residential areas adjacent to treeless habitats.
To mitigate these issues, several solutions and deterrents can be employed. For more detailed strategies on managing woodpecker interactions and preventing damage, refer to our article Woodpeckers Damage: Research-Proven Methods to Protect Your Homes.
Threats to Woodpeckers in the Midwest Region
Woodpeckers in the Midwest Region face several significant threats that impact their populations and habitats. Habitat loss and fragmentation are primary concerns, which can be exacerbated by climate change through extreme weather patterns disrupting breeding cycles.
Competition from invasive bird species. The aggressive European Starling competes for nesting cavities. Starlings often attack and dislodge nesting woodpeckers (particularly northern flickers), limiting reproductive success.
Conservation Strategies
Targeted conservation strategies can support the health of woodpecker populations in the Midwest Region:
- Habitat protection and restoration focus on preserving existing woodpecker habitats and restoring degraded areas to create suitable environments for nesting and foraging.
- Sustainable forestry practices aim to balance timber production with wildlife conservation, ensuring that woodpecker habitats remain intact while still providing economic benefits.
- Monitoring and research efforts help track woodpecker populations and assess the effectiveness of conservation strategies, allowing for adaptive management approaches.
- Public education and outreach initiatives raise awareness about the importance of woodpeckers in ecosystems and encourage community involvement in conservation efforts.
Closing Remarks:
The guide to the Woodpeckers of the Midwest Region of North America and Canada includes the nine (9) species of woodpeckers, flickers, and sapsuckers known o occur in Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, as well as the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Additional resources:
- Woodpecker Feet and Toes
- The Woodpecker Tail
- The Woodpecker Tongue
- The Marvels of Woodpecker Bills
- Understanding Woodpecker Drumming Behavior
- Woodpeckers as Cavity Creators
- What do Woodpeckers Eat?
- Woodpecker Migration
Photo Credits:
The photographic material used in this guide was made available on various websites. Many thanks to Andrew Morffew, Mark Mochell, Elizabeth Milson, Duzan Brinkhuizen, Dennis Church, Wendy Miller, Rick From Alabama, John Benson, Mick Thompson, Steve Guttman, Victor Espinoza, Kelly Colgan-Azar, Andy Reago, Chrissy McLaren, Garry C., Linda Fortuna, Vicky DeLoach, Paul Hurtado, Tom Murray, Tom Wilberding, Kenneth Cole-Schneider, Doug Greenberg, Brian Garrett, David White, Becky Matsubara, Dan Mooney, Hal Trachtenberg, Lloyd Davis, Denis Fournier, Gregory Heaton, hharryus, Greg Lavaty, Dona Hilkey, Joshua Mayer, Aaron Maizlish, Ashley Tubs, Richard George, Sandra Minica, Nick, Jon valentine, Steve Valasek, Mitch Walters, Kurayba and Julio Mulero.
Voices:
Most recordings were made by Paul Marvin (Xeno-canto https://xeno-canto.org/contributor/RFTXRYBVBX)
References and Sources:
- Allaboutbirds.org)
- eBird. (https://ebird.org/)
- Gill, Frank B., 1994. Ornithology – 2nd Edition, W. H. Freeman and Company.
- Sibley, David, 2000, The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf, Publisher.
- Species Longevity Data: United States Geological Survey (https://www.usgs.gov/)
- The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior, 2001. Chris Elphick, John Dunning, and David Sibley (eds). Alfred A. Knopf, New York.