Most of the woodpeckers in New Jersey are found throughout the year. However, there are some variations and exceptions in their occurrence. The red-headed woodpecker is more common during the breeding season (spring and summer), while yellow-bellied sapsuckers can be found throughout the state in winter. In the spring, they migrate north to breed.
Different Types of Woodpeckers Found in New Jersey
Very rare, occasional sightings reported in open woodlands and forests
Black-backed Woodpecker
Black plumage with white stripes on the back
Rarely seen, typically found in coniferous forests in the northern part of the state
American Three-toed Woodpecker
Black and white plumage, three-toed feet
Rare and localized, found in coniferous forests, especially in the northern part of the state
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Black and white plumage with bold white cheek patches
Extirpated from New Jersey, it formerly lived in pine forests in the southern part of the state
The red-cockaded woodpecker has been extirpated from the state mainly due to destruction of its longleaf pine habitat. It is an endangered species (since October 1970), with only around 6,000 family units (groups) left in its range in the US. Extensive conservation efforts have helped increase their overall population, but they are still missing from New Jersey. The red-headed woodpecker is threatened in the Garden State, with its numbers declining since the 19th century.
