Woodpeckers in Oklahoma

With its diverse landscapes and forest land spanning over 12.5 million acres, Oklahoma presents the ideal living conditions for the fifteen woodpecker species it hosts. The most common is the downy, which also happens to be the smallest (6.1 inches). It is common in backyard feeders as it has adapted well to human development. On the other hand, the pileated woodpecker is the largest residing in the state. It has a length of 17.5 inches. Though rare in central Oklahoma, it is relatively common in the forested parts of the Ouachita and Ozark Mountains.

Woodpeckers in Oklahoma (OK)

Different Types of Woodpeckers Found in Oklahoma

NameIdentifying FeaturesWhere They Are Found in Oklahoma
Downy WoodpeckerSmall size, black and white plumage, red spot on the back of the headThroughout the state
Hairy WoodpeckerLarger than Downy, similar plumageWooded areas, forests, and suburban neighborhoods
Northern FlickerBrown plumage with black spots, white rumpOpen areas, woodlands, and urban parks
Pileated WoodpeckerLarge size, striking red crest, black and white plumageForested areas and wooded parks throughout the state
Red-bellied WoodpeckerRed patch on the back of the head, black and white barred plumageWoodlands, forests, and suburban areas
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerYellow belly and white stripes on wingsForested areas, orchards, and wooded suburban neighborhoods
Ladder-backed WoodpeckerBlack and white barred back, ladder-like patternArid regions, scrublands, and desert edges
Red-headed WoodpeckerEntirely red head and neckSparse populations in open woodlands and along rivers
Golden-fronted WoodpeckerYellow and red on the head with barred back and wingsFound in southwestern parts of the state
Red-naped SapsuckerRed patch on nape, white face and throatWooded areas and forests, particularly in the eastern region
Lewis’s WoodpeckerDark greenish-black plumage, pink bellyOpen woodlands, burned areas, and river valleys
Williamson’s SapsuckerRed throat, black back with white spotsConiferous forests and wooded areas, primarily in the west
Red-cockaded WoodpeckerBlack cap and nape, white cheek patchesLimited to certain pine forests in the southeastern part of the state
Acorn WoodpeckerBlack and white plumage, distinctive red cap and throatOak woodlands and forests in limited parts of the state
Ivory-billed WoodpeckerLarge size, black and white plumage, ivory-colored billHistorically in bottomland forests, now considered extinct

Though the red-headed woodpecker is not endangered in the state, it is considered a watch species. It is because it has undergone a 70% population decline from 1966 to 2014.

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