The guide to the Woodpeckers of the Northwest Region of North America includes the fourteen (14) species of woodpeckers, flickers, and sapsuckers known to occur in the states of Washington, Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, and the Canadian provinces of Yukon, Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Nunavut, and Alberta. This comprehensive guide features detailed species accounts with information on identification, habitat, range, behavior, food, nesting, breeding, lifespan, population status, and conservation concerns, accompanied by custom-made ID images, making it a resource for novice and experienced bird enthusiasts.
- Key Habitat Types and Woodpecker Diversity in the Northwest Region
- Woodpecker, Sapsuckers, and Flickers
- Woodpecker of the Northwest Region (Fourteen (14) Species)
- Ecological role of Woodpeckers in the Ecosystems of the Northwest Region
- Adaptation to Disturbances
- Woodpecker-Human Interactions in the Northwest
- Threats to Woodpeckers in the Northwest Region

Key Habitat Types and Woodpecker Diversity in the Northwest Region
The Northwest Region of North America exhibits diverse geological features, climates, and habitats supporting 14 species of woodpeckers. The region is dominated by the North American Cordillera, a complex system of mountain ranges including the Coast Mountains, the Rockies, and various interior ranges.
Climate Gradients:
- Latitudinal Variation: The climate shifts dramatically from north to south influencing woodpecker distribution. The northern areas (Alaska, Yukon, NWT, northern BC & AB) experience subarctic and arctic conditions, with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. The northern half of the Northwest region is occupied by only a few year-round resident species and migratory ones like the Northern Flicker, Yellow-bellied Sapsacker.
The southern half (southern BC, southern AB, WA, ID, MT, OR, WY) features a more temperate climate with milder winters and warmer, drier summers. Most of the 14 species of woodpeckers in the Northwest Region are found in the Southern half. - Maritime vs. Continental: The Pacific coast experiences a maritime climate with relatively mild, wet conditions, while the interior exhibits a more continental climate with greater seasonal temperature extremes. Some species of woodpeckers are year-round residents in habitats along the pacific coast.
Woodpecker, Sapsuckers, and Flickers
The fourteen 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.
- Acorn Woodpecker
- Lewis’s Woodpecker
- Red-headed Woodpecker
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
- Williamson’s Sapsucker
- Red-breasted Sapsucker
- Red-naped Sapsucker
Campetherini (Picoides) Group: Small to medium-sized woodpeckers with black upperparts, often with white barring, and white underparts.
- Downy Woodpecker
- Hairy Woodpecker
- Black-backed Woodpecker
- Three-toed Woodpecker
- White-headed Woodpecker
Colaptini (Colaptes) Group: Medium-sized woodpeckers with predominantly brown barred and spotted plumages with brightly colored underwings.
- Northern Flicker
Campephilini (Dryocopus) Group: Large woodpeckers with bold black and white plumage.
- Pileated Woodpecker
See also other Regional Guides to the Woodpeckers of North America
Woodpecker of the Northwest Region (Fourteen (14) Species)
Acorn Woodpecker

Identification: Acorn Woodpeckers (Melanerpes formicivorus) have black backs, white faces, and red caps. Males have more red on their crowns than females. In flight, they display white wing patches.
Habitat: Open woodlands, including oak and pine-oak woodlands. Commonly found in mountainous areas where oak trees are present.
Range: In the Northwest Region, Acorn Woodpeckers are found only on the west/coastal region of Oregon.
Movements: Year-round resident.
Behavior: Found in family groups that cooperate to raise young, gather and store food, and guard their territory.
Food: Acorns and insects. They catch insects in mid air, store acorns in holes they drill in tree granaries.
Nest: Excavate multiple cavities in trees for nesting and roosting. Cavities are typically around 6 inches in diameter and may be 8 inches to 2 feet deep.
Breeding: Breeding months: March through late October. Clutch size: 3–6. Egg color: white. May have 1–2 broods per year. Incubation period: 11 days. Nestling period: 31days.
Lifespan: The approximate lifespan of an Acorn Woodpecker is at least 17 years and 3 months.
How many are there?: The global breeding population is estimated to be 7.5 million.
Conservation: IUCN status is Least Concern.
Lewis’s Woodpecker

Identification: Adults Lewis’s Woodpeckers (Melanerpes lewis) have a dark green back, gray collar, pink belly, and dark red face. Juveniles are similar to adults but duller.
Habitat: Woodlands, including ponderosa pine forests, burned forests. Woodlands near streams, oak-woodlands, orchards and pinyon-juniper woodlands.
Range: Lewis’s Woodpecker are breeding visitors (Spring and Summer) in Southern British Columbia, South and Western Montana, all of Wyoming, and parts of Idaho and Washington. It is a year-round resident in the central region of Oregon.
Movements: Lewis’s woodpeckers are short distance migrants. They move from their wintering ground to their breeding grounds all within Western United States.
Behavior: Lewis’s Woodpeckers fly out to catch flying insects and return to a perch. They store acorns and nuts in trees. May form small wandering flocks during the non-breeding season in search of food.
Food: Insects, nuts, and fruits. Catches insects in midair or gleans them from branches and stores nuts in tree crevices.
Nest: Rarely excavate their own cavities, but use existing cavities or holes in dead or decaying trees.
Breeding: Breeding months: late April to July. Clutch size: 5-9. Egg color: opaque white. Incubation period: about 14 days. Nestling period: about 31 days.
Lifespan: The lifespan of Lewis’s Woodpeckers is unknown.
How many are there?: The estimated global breeding population is 82,000 individuals.
Conservation: On the Yellow Watch List due to population declines, primarily due to habitat loss (IUCN).
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) to the eastern half of Montana and the Northeast corner of Wyoming.
Movements: The Red-headed Woodpecker is a short distance migrant expanding its range towards the northwest only during the breeding season.
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.
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 are found in the Northwest Region only as breeding visitors in most of Alberta, Northeast British Columbia, part of Yukon and the south part of the Northwest Territories.
Movements: The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker depart the breeding grounds of the Northwest Region in September and October. It is the only long distant migrant woodpecker.
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).
Williamson’s Sapsucker

Identification: The male Williamson’s Sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus thyroideus) is black with white wing patches, a yellow belly, and a red throat. Adult females are brown and white with black barring. Juveniles resemble duller versions of the adults.
Habitat: Open coniferous and mixed woodlands in mountains, especially mature forests with pine, larch, fir, Douglas-fir, and aspen, oak scrub, pinyon pine-juniper, and riparian forests.
Range: Williamson’s Sapsuckers are breeding visitors (Spring and Summer) in the mountains of Southern British Columbia, the Southwest tip of Alberta, Western Montana, the northwest corner of Wyoming, the northern half of Idaho and central region and Oregon. It is a year-round resident in the southern half of the mountains of Oregon.
Movements: The Williamson’s Sapsuckers is a short and medium distance migrant. Some populations are year-round residents.
Behavior: Males establish territories before females arrive. Rather aggressive and territorial during the breeding period. May breed with a different partner every year.
Food: Sap and insects. Drills sap wells to obtain sap, also gleans insects from bark.
Nest: Cavity excavated in a live tree, often one with a fungal infection. The entrance hole is about 1.6 inches in diameter, and the cavity is about 3.6 inches across and 10.5 inches deep.
Breeding: Breeding months: April – August. Clutch size: 4-6. Egg color: glossy white. Incubation period: 12-14 days. Nestling period: about 32 days.
Lifespan: The lifespan of the Williamson’s Sapsucker is unknown.
How many are there?: The estimated global breeding population is 300,000.
Conservation: Considered a species of low concern (IUCN).
Red-Breasted Sapsucker

Identification: Both male and female Red-breasted Sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus ruber) have a red head and breast with a white spot between the eye and the bill. The back is mottled black and white, and the wings are black with a large vertical white patch.
Habitat: Coniferous forests of pine and hemlock. Also in old-growth and second-growth forests, orchards, and powerline rights-of-way.
Range: The Red-breasted Sapsucker is a year-round resident in coastal and western British Columbia, Washington and Oregon.
Movements: Mostly a year-round resident. During the breeding season (Spring & Summer) it expands its range eastward in British Columbia and Washington.
Behavior: They drill shallow holes in trees to access sap, which they guard aggressively from other birds and mammals.
Food: Sap, insects. The Red-breasted Sapsucker uses its brush-tipped tongue to lap up sap and picks insects from bark crevices.
Nest: Excavates a cavity in dead trees or dead portions of live trees. The entrance hole is approximately 2 inches in diameter. The male excavates a new nest cavity each year.
Breeding: Breeding months: mid May through early August. Clutch size: 4-7. Egg color: white. Incubation period: 14-15 days. Nestling period: 23-28 days.
Lifespan: The oldest recorded Red-breasted Sapsucker lived to be at least 5 years old.
How many are there? Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 2.8 million individuals.
Conservation: Considered a species of low concern (IUCN).
Red-naped Sapsucker

Identification: Adult Red-naped Sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) are black and white with a red cap, and throat, and a white bar on the folded wing. Males have an entirely red chin, while females have a white patch on the chin.
Habitat: Prefers mixed forests composed of willow, aspen, birch, ponderosa pine, juniper, or Douglas-fir. They avoid oak or pine-oak forests during breeding but utilize them during migration and winter.
Range: Red-naped Sapsuckers are breeding visitors (Spring and Summer) in the southeast corner of British Columbia, Southwest corner of Alberta, the Western half of Montana and Wyoming, most of Idaho, and roughly the eastern half of Washington and Oregon.
Movements: Considered a short-distance migrant that moves between the breeding and non-breeding grounds.
Behavior: They spend a significant amount of time defending their sap wells from other sapsuckers and other bird species.
Food: Insects and tree sap. They drill rows of sap wells into tree bark to access the sap, which they then lap up with their tongues.
Nest: Excavate cavities in live or dead trees. The entrance hole is approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. Males primarily excavate the cavity.
Breeding: Breeding months: April through mid August. Clutch size: 3-7 eggs. Egg color: white. Incubation period: 10 days. Nestling period: 28 days.
Lifespan: The oldest recorded Red-naped Sapsucker lived for at least 4 years and 11 months.
How many are there?: Partners in Flight estimates the global breeding population of Red-naped Sapsuckers to be around 2 million.
Conservation: The Red-naped Sapsucker is considered a species of Low 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 a year-round resident in all of the Northwest Region. It is absent from roughly the northern half of Alaska, most of Yukon, and the northern half of the Western Territories.
Movements: It is a year-round species.
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 a year-round resident in all of the Northwest Region. It is absent from roughly the northern third of Alaska and Yukon, and the northern half of the Western Territories.
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 found in most of Alaska, Yukon, the Northwest Territories, British Columbia and the Northern Half of Alberta. It is also a year-round resident in Western Montana, most of Idaho, and only parts of Wyoming, Washington, and Oregon.
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 a year-round resident in Southcentral Alaska, S. Yukon, most of the Northwest Territories, British Columbia and Alberta. It is also a year-round resident in Western Montana, the northern half of Idaho, the northeast corner of Wyoming, and central Washington and Oregon.
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).
White-headed Woodpecker

Identification: The White-headed Woodpecker (Dryobates albolarvatus) is a medium-sized, all black woodpecker with a white head and white bases to the outer flight feathers. Males have a red nape, juveniles have a red crown patch.
Habitat: Mountain forests with ponderosa pine and sugar pine. Old-growth forests with open canopies, limited understory. Recently burned forests are often used.
Range: In the Northwest Region, the White-headed Woodpecker is found in the pine forest mountains of extreme south British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
Movements: It is a year-round resident within its range.
Behavior: White-headed Woodpeckers are typically observed in pairs. They stay and roost together as a pair all year round. Pairs communicate with calls or drumming displays.
Food: Pine seeds, insects, sap. It obtains food by clinging to pine cones, prying, and hammering.
Nest: Cavity excavated in dead conifers. Circular entrance hole of about 1.8 inches in diameter. The chamber averages 5.1 inches in diameter and 8.3 inches deep.
Breeding: Breeding months (February through July). Clutch size: 2-9. Egg color: white. Incubation period: 11 to 14 days. Nestling period: approximately 25 days.
Lifespan: The oldest recorded individual was at least 4 years and 1 month old.
How many are there?: The estimated global breeding population of White-headed Woodpeckers is 240,000 individuals.
Conservation: The White-headed Woodpecker is listed as a species of low conservation concern by the 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 year-round resident in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Oregon, Washington, Coastal and extreme south British Columbia. During the Spring and Summer months the Northern Flicker expands its range to Central Alaska, Yukon, The Northwest Territories, and Alberta.
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 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 most of Alberta and British Columbia. It also occurs in West Montana, the northern half of Idaho, and in most of Washington and Oregon. It is absent from the central mountains of the latter states.
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 Northwest Region
Woodpeckers are keystone species in Northwestern forests, 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 Northwestern 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 Northwest
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 Northwest region, 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 in the Northwest Region
Woodpeckers in the Northwest 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 Northwest 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 Remarsk:
The guide to the Woodpeckers of the Northwest Region of North America and Canada includes the fourteen (14) species of woodpeckers, flickers, and sapsuckers known o occur in the region. The geographic range covered by this guide includes the states of Washington, Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, and the Canadian provinces of Yukon, Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Nunavut, and Alberta.
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 online or directly from the authors of the photographic material. 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.