Woodpeckers in Kentucky

Kentucky, a state rich in forests, is home to seven common species of woodpeckers. They range from the downy, the smallest (6.1 in), to the pileated (17.5 in), the biggest. While the others occur in the state year-round, the yellow-bellied sapsucker only appears during the non-breeding season (August-March).

Woodpeckers in Kentucky (KY)

Different Types of Woodpeckers Found in Kentucky

NameIdentifying FeaturesWhere They Are Found in Kentucky
Red-bellied WoodpeckerRed cap on the headCommon throughout the state
Downy WoodpeckerSmall size, black wings with white spotsCommon in woodlands and parks
Hairy WoodpeckerSimilar to Downy but largerCommon in wooded areas
Northern FlickerBrownish body with black markingsOpen areas, fields, and yards
Pileated WoodpeckerLarge, striking red crest and black bodyForested regions and woodlands
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerYellow belly and red throatWooded areas with sap-rich trees
Red-headed WoodpeckerBright red head and black wingsWoodlands, open areas, and suburbs
Red-cockaded WoodpeckerSmall with a black cap and white cheek patchesRare, found in southern pine forests
Ivory-billed WoodpeckerExtinct, formerly large and ivory-colored (historic)Historically, in hardwood forests

The red-cockaded woodpecker was extirpated from the state in the early 2000s, while the population of the red-headed woodpeckers is on the decline. Currently, they can only be seen in western and central Kentucky. The Cumberland Plateau in the south has a few of them.

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