By Tony Gazso, Interpretive Naturalist

Woodpeckers are some of the most adored visitors to our backyards. These cool birds that seem to stand on the side of a tree while they peck away at the bark have captured the imagination of many across the world. Woodpeckers are a large and very diverse group of birds and are found throughout the world on nearly every continent. 

Woodpeckers have some truly unique adaptations; strong legs help them perch to the side of a vertical surface; sturdy, stiff tail feathers help support their weight, acting as a sort of kickstand. Woodpeckers also have zygodactyl toes. This means instead of having three toes facing forward, and one facing backward like most birds, they have two toes (their first and fourth) facing backward, while the other two toes face forward. This makes gripping the side of a tree much easier. Woodpeckers also have special adaptations in the structure of their skulls to protect their brains while they peck the sides of trees. In all, there are seven woodpeckers found here in Ohio, five of which are permanent residents. Let’s take a closer look at these interesting birds:
 
Downy woodpecker: The smallest and most widespread woodpecker in North America, the downy can be found in 49 of the 50 states, and nearly every Canadian province. Speckled in black and white, downy woodpeckers are common visitors to backyard feeders. Their small size (not much bigger than a titmouse or nuthatch) enables them to nab small food that other woodpeckers wouldn’t be able to get to. Males can be identified by the red spot on the back of their heads, which females lack.

Downy woodpecker

Hairy woodpecker: The hairy woodpecker, in terms of plumage pattern, is nearly identical to the downy. However, the hairy is much larger in size and has a longer bill (its length is about the same as its head). The hairy’s range is roughly the same as the downy’s, but they are far less numerous. It’s common to see half a dozen downys in your backyard, but you’ll probably not see more than one hairy, if you see any at all. Also like the downy, hairy woodpeckers found in the western U.S. have less white and more black feathers.

Hairy woodpecker

Red-bellied woodpecker: Easily the second most common woodpecker (next to the downy) found in our area is the red-bellied. Their namesake red belly is often hidden from view based on how they perch, so they are more easily identified by overall plumage pattern which is unlike any other woodpeckers in the region. An overall tan woodpecker with a black and white back makes them almost appear to be wearing a tweed jacket. Like other woodpeckers, they nest in cavities that they excavate. These holes, once abandoned by the woodpecker, are an important habitat for cavity nesters that can’t make their own holes.

Red-bellied woodpecker

Red-headed woodpecker: The red-headed woodpecker is a sleek bird with large blocks of non-patterned color. Bright red head, black body with white wingtips, and a white belly, the red-headed woodpecker is often found near bodies of water where they prefer dead trees. They are the only woodpecker found in Ohio that’s not sexually dimorphic, meaning males and females look the same. Juvenile birds have a dark gray head and obtain red plumage when they reach adulthood. They are common in localized pockets throughout the area. Look for them at Pete’s Pond, Veterans Park and Chagrin River Park.

Red-headed woodpecker

Pileated woodpecker: Though the pronunciation of the word pileated can vary depending on which birder you ask, the word itself means crested. That bright red crest is one of the first things people notice when they see a pileated woodpecker. The next is size. These birds are huge—about the size of crows—making them the largest woodpeckers in North America. They are also one of the few woodpeckers that can be identified by sound. Their call sounds like the maniacal laughter of a monkey high in the trees. Most woodpeckers communicate primarily through the drumming they do. When you hear this, it is actually a woodpecker calling, as they make relatively no noise when foraging or excavating.

Pileated woodpecker

Northern flicker: Although flickers can be seen in Ohio year-round, they tend to appear in larger numbers during migration. Northern flickers are large, mostly brown woodpeckers that are covered in black spots. In flight, they also show off their bright yellow flight feathers (which are red on birds found out west) and a bright white rump. Unlike the other woodpeckers mentioned above, the flicker doesn’t peck at trees for food, only to excavate a nest. They actually feed on the ground, pecking into the ground and flicking their long, sticky tongues into the ground to nab ants and other insects, kind of like an anteater. This foraging style is where they get the name “flicker.”

Northern flicker

Yellow-bellied sapsucker: The only sapsucker species found in Ohio, these birds are typically only found in the area during spring and fall migration, and rarely stick around. As their name suggests, these woodpeckers specialize in sucking the sap from trees. They work their way around a tree drilling sap wells that they then drink from. They do this in a very orderly pattern; look for trees with rows of small holes lined up nearly perfectly, running the whole length of the tree. They particularly love the sap of tulip trees. Sapsuckers have a similar, but distinct silhouette compared to other woodpeckers.

Yellow-bellied sapsucker

Winter is a great time to spot woodpeckers in the region thanks to the lack of foliage to keep them hidden. So next time you’re out for a hike, see how many woodpeckers you can find!