Woodpeckers in New York

With its diverse habitats, including swamps, forests, rivers, lakes, mountains, and plains, New York is ideal to host various woodpeckers. Upstate New York is where you can find the yellow-bellied sapsucker, northern flicker, downy, hairy, and pileated woodpeckers. They breed in the Adirondacks. Western New York has all the aforementioned birds, plus the red-headed and red-bellied woodpeckers. The pileated woodpecker, the largest in the state at 17.5 inches, frequents the state’s southern forests and hills. On the other hand, the downy – the smallest at 6.1 inches – is a native of the Empire State.

Woodpeckers in New York (NY)

Different Types of Woodpeckers Found in New York

NameIdentifying FeaturesWhere They Are Found in New York
Downy WoodpeckerBlack-and-white plumage with a small bill and a white stripe down the backFound in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, parks, and suburban areas
Hairy WoodpeckerLarger size compared to the downy woodpecker, similar black-and-white plumageCommonly seen in mature forests and woodlands
Northern FlickerBrownish-gray plumage with black spots and a white rump, often seen on the ground foraging for antsOpen habitats such as fields, forests edges, and suburban areas
Red-bellied WoodpeckerRed cap and nape, black-and-white barred backWoodlands, parks, and suburban areas with mature trees
Pileated WoodpeckerLarge size with a distinctive red crest and black-and-white plumageMature forests with large trees, especially near water bodies
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerBlack-and-white plumage with a red throat patchDeciduous and mixed forests, often seen in maple and birch trees
American Three-toed WoodpeckerBlack-and-white plumage with a yellow crown and a distinctive barred pattern on the backConiferous forests, especially where beetle-infested trees are present
Lewis’s WoodpeckerDistinctive pink-red belly and dark green backOpen woodlands, particularly in mountainous regions
Black-backed WoodpeckerBlack plumage with white spots on the wings and a white patch on the backConiferous forests, particularly in areas affected by wildfires
Williamson’s SapsuckerBlack back with white barring, yellow belly, and red throatConiferous and mixed forests, particularly in higher elevations
Red-headed WoodpeckerBright red head with a black and white bodyOpen woodlands, especially near water sources

The yellow-bellied sapsucker is a migratory species inhabiting the state. It travels to New York in spring and moves southwards to the southeastern US through Mexico and Central America for the winter. Apart from the species mentioned above, all the others are year-round residents of the state.

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