10 Types of Woodpeckers In NC and Identification

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North Carolina is home to a diverse avian population, including an array of woodpecker species. Among the 10 types of woodpeckers found in the state, the Hairy Woodpecker stands out with its distinctive black and white plumage. Its medium size, characteristic striped tail, and wings make it easily identifiable. The Downy Woodpecker, a smaller counterpart, is recognizable by its short, narrow beak and straight-backed posture. Another common sight is the Red-bellied Woodpecker, marked by its pale-red belly, red nape, and a striking red crest on males.

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, a winter visitor, showcases a pale-yellow belly and a penchant for sap-feeding. The elusive Ivory-billed Woodpecker, though rarely seen, was historically prominent in the southeastern U.S. Unfortunately, environmental changes have made sightings extremely rare. The Northern Flicker, with its colorful plumage and unique foraging habits, is a year-round resident often seen in open expanses.

The Ivory-billed Woodpecker, despite its historic significance, faces challenges due to habitat loss and is now considered endangered. Conservation efforts, led by organizations like the Audubon society, aim to protect these remarkable species in the ever-changing environment. As these woodpeckers navigate North Carolina’s diverse landscapes, they contribute to the state’s rich biodiversity, offering bird enthusiasts a fascinating glimpse into the avian world.

Below is a list of 10 woodpecker species found in North Carolina, along with a summary of how to identify them.

Different Types of Woodpeckers In NC

Hairy Woodpeckers

Characteristic	Range
Length	7.1-10.2 inches
Weight	1.4-3.4 ounces
Wingspan	13-16.1 inches
Habitat	North Carolina
Feeding Habits	Nuts, mixed seeds, black oil sunflower seeds, bugs, spiders, bees, caterpillars, and other creatures
Feather Pattern	Black and white check pattern
Male Markings	Flashes of red along the sides of their heads
Distinctive Feature	Large patch of white trailing down their backs
Vocalization	Powerful calls and drumming

Downy Woodpecker

Characteristic	Range
Length	5.5-7 inches
Weight	0.7-1 ounce
Wingspan	9.8-12 inches
Relationship to Hairy Woodpecker	Smaller dimensions, especially in the beak
Beak	Short, narrow, and sharp
Posture	Straight-backed posture
Habitat	North Carolina, year-round, more common in winter
Behavior	Often seen in mixed flocks with chickadees and nuthatches
Diet	Similar to Hairy Woodpecker, includes nuts, mixed seeds, black oil sunflower seeds, bugs, spiders, bees, caterpillars, and other creatures

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Characteristic	Range
Length	9.4 inches
Weight	2.0-3.2 ounces
Wingspan	13.0-16.5 inches
Belly Color	Pale red
Nape Color	Red
Crest Color (Males)	Red
Habitat	North Carolina, forests, dead trees
Nesting Behavior	Lay eggs on a bed of wood chips
Vocalization	Loud, rolling call
Diet	Suet cakes, nuts, sunflower seeds, similar to Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers

Red-headed Woodpecker

Characteristic	Range
Length	7.5-9.1 inches
Weight	2.0-3.2 ounces
Wingspan	16.5 inches
Head Color	Bright red
Wing Color	Half black, half white
Chest Color	Snow-white
Vocalization	Shrill call
Habitat	Year-round, birdfeeders in winter
Diet	Suet, nuts, fruits, insects
Unique Hunting Tactics	Catching insects in mid-air, hunting on the ground
Territorial Behavior	Destructive towards other birds’ eggs in their territory
Conservation Status	Declining due to habitat loss over the past 60 years

Pileated Woodpecker

Characteristic	Range
Length	15.8-19.3 inches
Weight	8.8-12.3 ounces
Wingspan	26.0-29.5 inches
Crest Color	Striking red mohawk
Neck Color	Mostly black with a striking white strip on either side
Male Beak Stripe	Red stripe alongside the beak, resembling a mustache
Underwing Color	Broad, white underwings when in flight
Habitat	Year-round in North Carolina, drowned and mature forests
Drumming	Steady drumming and loud whinnying
Diet	Suet, nuts, seeds, similar to other woodpeckers

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Characteristic	Range
Length	7.1-8.7 inches
Weight	1.5-1.9 ounces
Wingspan	13.4-15.8 inches
Belly Color	Pale yellow
Forehead Color	Red
Male Throat Color	Red
Body and Wings	White and black, with a long streak of white running down both wings
Habitat	Visits during winter, nests at an elevation around 6,500 feet high
Diet	Primarily sap, creates sap wells in tree bark to consume sap and catch bugs
Attraction to Yard	Possible with suet cakes, attracted to young birch and maple trees
Vocalization	Staccato drumming, loud calls

Red-cockaded Woodpecker

Characteristic	Range
Length	7.9-9.1 inches
Weight	1.5-1.8 ounces
Wingspan	14.2 inches
Cheek Streak Color	Red (males only)
Cheek Streak Visibility	Can be hard to see among white feathers and black crest
Body Markings	Horizontal black and white stripes, faded on stomach, contrasting on back
Preferred Trees	Those with red heart fungus, which makes the wood easier to shape
Nesting Behavior	Excavate large caverns in trees, poke holes to leak pitch for protection
Diet	Berries, but primarily insects from trees with red heart fungus
Conservation Status	Endangered species, limited in numbers

Northern Flicker

Characteristic	Range
Length	11.0-12.2 inches
Weight	3.9-5.6 ounces
Wingspan	16.5-20.1 inches
Body Color	Mostly brown, decorated with black dots, crescents, and bars
Neck Color	Greyish-brown
Tail and Wing Underside Color	Yellow
Male Markings	Black “mustache” and red nape
Habitat	Open expanses, especially near mountains, stays in North Carolina year-round, more common in winter
Foraging Behavior	Spends time on the ground looking for insects with slightly curved beaks
Attraction to Yard	More attracted to bird baths than bird feeders, nesting pairs can be attracted with a nest box
Protection	Setting up guards recommended to keep predators away

Ivory-billed Woodpecker

Characteristic	Range
Length	18.1-21.1 inches
Weight	15.1-20.1 ounces
Wingspan	29.5-31.5 inches
Habitat	Originally across the southeastern United States, now very rare
Last Sighting	2004 in eastern Arkansas
Current Status	Unseen since 2004, the search continues
Physical Features	Huge for a woodpecker, longer neck, short crest, straight pale-ivory beak
Crest Color (Males)	Red
Crest Color (Females)	White
Body Color	Mostly white, two strips of white down the back
Foraging Behavior	Stripping trees of bark to find large beetle larvae

Acorn Woodpecker

Characteristic	Range
Length	7.5-9.1 inches
Weight	2.3-3.2 ounces
Wingspan	13.8-16.9 inches
Crest Color (Males)	Bright red
Face Color	Cream-white with a small circle of black around their beaks
In-flight Features	Three spots of white – one on each wing and on their rump
Crest Color (Females)	Duller shade of red
Diet	Primarily acorns, also hunt for bugs
Habitat	Trunks of trees or telephone poles, not native to North Carolina but observed at the Audubon society branch in Durham
Threats	Urbanization, which reduces potential living spaces and creates smaller groups
Conservation Efforts	Organizations like the Audubon society work to ensure their safety in changing environments

Conclusion

In summary, these are the various bird species you can encounter in North Carolina. While some are more elusive and haven’t been seen for quite some time, the majority of these feathered inhabitants are a year-round presence, easily observed in your own backyard with the right incentives. North Carolina’s woodpeckers stand as a testament to the importance of preserving biodiversity and cherishing the natural wonders that grace our landscapes.

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