Woodpeckers in Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina: A Comprehensive ID Guide

The guide to the Woodpeckers of Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina includes the eight (8) species of woodpeckers, flickers, and sapsuckers known to occur in the Bluegrass, Tar Heel, and Volunteer states. 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 Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina

The woodpecker diversity in Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina is relatively low, with up to 8 species known to occur in these states. This limited diversity can be attributed to the dominance of the Eastern Temperate Forest cover across the region.  While extensive, a single dominant forest type offers less habitat variation compared to regions with more diverse landscapes. 

Among the woodpecker species found in these states, the Red-cockaded Woodpecker is of particular interest. This small woodpecker is found only in mature pine forests, especially longleaf pine ecosystems. Its specific habitat requirements highlight the importance of forest characteristics within the broader Eastern Temperate Forest biome in influencing woodpecker diversity in the region.

Woodpecker, Sapsucker, and Flickers

The 8 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. Red-cockaded 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, Sapsuckers, and Flickers of Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina (Eight (8) 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 uncommon and widespread throughout Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
Movements: Short distance migrant. It expands its range westward and northward during the Spring and Summer. It is unclear which populations are migratory or year-round residents.
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 the most common woodpecker throughout Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
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: 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 non-breeding visitor (Fall and Winter) in the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina. It breeds in small areas of the Apalachian Mountains of Kentucky and North Carolina.
Movements: The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is one of the few highly migratory woodpeckers. Its wintering grounds include 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 common throughout Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
Movements: Year-round resident within its entire range.
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 fairly common throughout Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
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).

---

Red-cockaded Woodpecker

Identification: The red-cockaded woodpecker (Leuconotopicus borealis) has a black and white head, back, and wings. The underparts are white with black markings on the sides. Males have a small red spot on the nape, which is missing in the female.
Habitat: It is found nearly exclusively in mature stands of pine forests with a short and clear understory that burns frequently. It is not found in suburban areas.
Range: The Red-cockaded Woodpecker has a patchy distribution through the eastern half of North Carolina. It also occurs in a small area of Southeast Kentucky.
Movements: It is considered a year-round resident within its range.
Behavior: Red-cockaded woodpeckers forage for food in noisy family groups. Families or clans maintain and defend fixed territories around clusters of nesting cavities.
Food: Red-cockaded woodpeckers eat mostly beetles, ants, and insect larvae found in the bark of pine trees. They also include berries and pine seeds found in pine forests. They do not visit backyard bird feeders.
Nest: The red-cockaded woodpecker is the only woodpecker that excavates its cavities in live pine trees. It may take multiple years to finish a cavity, but the mínimum time to complete one is approximately two years.  Nest cavities have a round entrance hole of about 3.5 in, in diameter.
Breeding: Breeding months: mid-April through late July. Clutch size: 2-5, Egg color: white. Incubation period: 11 days. Nestling period: 27 days.
Lifespan: Red-cockaded woodpeckers live at least 16 years and 1 month.
How many are there?: The estimated number of red-cockaded woodpeckers in North America is 19,000 individuals.
Conservation: The red-cockaded woodpecker is rare and considered a critically endangered bird.

---

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 fairly common throughout Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
Movements: It migrates short distances between the breeding and wintering grounds. It is a year-round resident in most of its range.
Behavior: Unlike other woodpeckers, the Northern Flicker forages for food on the ground 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 uncommon throughout Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
Movements: It is considered a year-round resident within its range.
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, Sapsuckers, and Flickers in the Ecosystems of Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina

Woodpeckers, sapsuckers, and flickers are keystone species in the forests of Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, acting as natural engineers. Their importance stems from:

1. Creating cavities for other wildlife
2. Controlling insect populations
3. 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 habitats of the Bluegrass, Tar Heel, and Volunteer states.

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, sapsuckers, and flickers 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 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 Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina

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 parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, these problems are notably prevalent due to the high density of residential areas adjacent to suitable woodpecker 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, Sapsuckers, and Flickers in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina

Woodpeckers, sapsuckers and flickers 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 Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina: 

• 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, sapsuckers, and flickers of the States of Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina includes a total of eight (8) species. Some species are widespread habitat generalists while others are restricted to particular habitats and are found in in smaller portions of these states.

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.