13 Types of Woodpeckers in Colorado (Pictures and Identification)

Recognizing woodpeckers in Colorado has always been one among my favorite components of birdwatching. Though I usually spend most of my time chasing hummingbirds with my digital digital camera, these energetic, tree-tapping birds are usually not doable to ignore. Their drumming echoes by way of the woods, drawing you in sooner than you even see them.

Colorado’s varied landscapes—ranging from extreme mountain conifers to cottonwood-lined river valleys—are home to a formidable variety of woodpeckers. Some, similar to the tiny Downy Woodpecker, might go to your yard feeders, whereas others, such as a result of the elusive Black-backed Woodpecker, want distant burned forests. Each species has its private quirks and sweetness.

On this data, I’ll share all 13 woodpecker species current in Colorado, full with images, identification concepts, and engaging data. Whether or not or not you’re exploring the Rockies or having enjoyable with a quiet park in town, you’ll know exactly which woodpecker is conserving rhythm throughout the bushes.

Widespread Woodpeckers Current in Colorado

Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)

The Downy Woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker in Colorado, measuring about 5.5 to 7 inches in dimension with a wingspan of 9 to 12 inches. It has a white abdomen, black wings marked with white spots, and a daring black-and-white striped head. Males is likely to be distinguished by a small pink patch on the once more of the top, whereas females lack this marking. Their fast bill, just a few third the scale of the top, is a key operate that helps differentiate them from the similar-looking Bushy Woodpecker.

In Colorado, Downy Woodpeckers are year-round residents, usually current in wooded areas, parks, orchards, and even suburban backyards. They’re extraordinarily adaptable and may thrive in every deciduous and mixed forests, along with riparian zones alongside rivers. They’ve an inclination to forage on tree trunks and branches, normally tapping calmly looking for bugs hidden beneath bark.

Their meals routine is primarily composed of bugs similar to beetle larvae, ants, and caterpillars, nonetheless moreover they eat seeds and berries, significantly in winter. They’re frequent friends to yard feeders, normally drawn to suet, peanuts, and sunflower seeds. In spring and summer season, they’re typically seen darting amongst bushes, hammering softly whereas looking for meals.

Pleasant actuality: No matter their small measurement, Downy Woodpeckers are aggressive defenders of their feeding territory and may even keep off greater birds like starlings and grackles.

Bushy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus)

The Bushy Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker, measuring about 7 to 10 inches prolonged with a wingspan of 13 to 16 inches. It has hanging black-and-white plumage very similar to the Downy Woodpecker, nonetheless with an prolonged bill that’s nearly the equivalent dimension as its head. Males sport a small pink patch on the once more of the top, whereas females do not. Their clear white underparts and black wings with white spots make them easy to acknowledge as quickly because the bill dimension is legendary.

In Colorado, Bushy Woodpeckers dwell year-round in forests, woodlands, and mountain slopes, ranging from lowland cottonwood groves to subalpine coniferous forests. They’ve an inclination to want greater, mature bushes for nesting and foraging, normally excavating holes in lifeless picket to hunt out bugs.

Their meals routine is intently insect-based, feeding on wood-boring beetle larvae, ants, and moth pupae. Moreover they eat seeds, nuts, and suet from yard feeders. They’re sturdy and deliberate foragers, hanging picket with sharp, extremely efficient blows. Not like Downy Woodpeckers, they normally spend further time on thicker tree trunks.

Pleasant actuality: Bushy Woodpeckers play an vital place in controlling insect pests like bark beetles, making them helpful allies for forest properly being.

Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)

The Northern Flicker is probably going one of many largest woodpeckers in Colorado, measuring 11 to 14 inches prolonged with a wingspan of 16 to twenty inches. Not like most woodpeckers, it has a brownish physique with black bars on the once more and seen underparts. In Colorado, the “Pink-shafted” type is widespread, that features a gray face, pink mustache stripe in males, and pink wing and tail shafts seen in flight.

This species may be very adaptable and is likely to be found all through Colorado in open woodlands, forest edges, grasslands with scattered bushes, and even suburban neighborhoods. Whereas they may climb bushes like completely different woodpeckers, they’re normally seen foraging on the underside, looking for ants and beetles.

Their meals routine is unique amongst woodpeckers, with ants making up a giant portion of their meals consumption. They use their prolonged, sticky tongues to lap up bugs from the soil. Moreover they eat fruits, seeds, and nuts when bugs are scarce. Northern Glints have a loud, ringing “wick-a-wick-a-wick” title and a specific drumming conduct used to say territory.

Pleasant actuality: Not like most woodpeckers that drum on picket, Northern Glints are recognized to drum on metallic objects like gutters or indicators to create louder sounds that journey farther.

Pink-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis)

The Pink-naped Sapsucker is a medium-sized woodpecker measuring 7 to eight inches prolonged with a wingspan of about 16 inches. It is merely acknowledged by its black-and-white patterned physique, white wing stripe, and daring pink patches on the crown and throat. A black bib separates the pink throat from the white underparts, and every sexes have the pink cap, though the extent of the pink throat can fluctuate.

In Colorado, these birds are normally current in mixed forests, significantly aspen groves and riparian woodlands. They’re migratory, spending summers in elevated elevations and transferring to lower areas or southward in winter. Their most distinctive feeding methodology is drilling rows of small holes, often known as sap wells, in tree bark to feed on sap and trapped bugs.

Their meals routine consists of tree sap, ants, beetles, and completely different bugs, along with berries and fruits all through migration. They normally revisit the equivalent sap wells repeatedly, defending them from completely different birds similar to hummingbirds that moreover profit from the sweet liquid.

Pleasant actuality: Pink-naped Sapsuckers are considered “ecosystem engineers” on account of their sap wells current meals for lots of various species, along with warblers, orioles, and squirrels.

Williamson’s Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus)

Williamson’s Sapsucker is a dangling and significantly unusual woodpecker on account of women and men look absolutely utterly completely different—a trait often known as sexual dimorphism. Males have a shiny black once more, head, and chest, with a vibrant yellow abdomen and a small pink throat patch. Females are largely brown with black and white barring on the once more and a pale yellow abdomen. Every sexes have a white rump and wing patches.

In Colorado, Williamson’s Sapsuckers breed in high-elevation coniferous forests, notably amongst pines and firs. They’re seasonal residents, spending summers throughout the mountains and migrating to lower elevations or further south for winter. They feed completely on sap, drilling neat rows of holes in tree trunks and branches. Bugs, significantly ants, complement their meals routine, along with occasional fruits and seeds.

They are much much less repeatedly seen than completely different woodpeckers on account of they normally forage quietly in dense forest interiors. Nonetheless, their presence is likely to be detected by the telltale horizontal rows of sap wells on tree bark.

Pleasant actuality: Williamson’s Sapsucker is probably going one of many few North American woodpeckers with such extreme male-female plumage variations that early ornithologists initially thought they’ve been two separate species.

Pink-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber)

The Pink-breasted Sapsucker is a medium-sized woodpecker, measuring about 7.5 to eight.5 inches in dimension with a wingspan spherical 16 inches. Its most hanging operate is its vivid pink head, throat, and better breast, which distinction sharply with its black wings and white wing bars. The abdomen is a mix of white and mottled black, normally with some yellowish tones. Every sexes look comparable, making them one in all many less complicated sapsuckers to find out at a glance.

In Colorado, Pink-breasted Sapsuckers are a lot much less widespread and are primarily seen all through migration or in winter, normally in mixed woodlands or alongside riparian corridors. They like areas with ample deciduous bushes similar to aspens, cottonwoods, or willows, the place they may drill sap wells. These birds are seasonal friends, and sightings are further frequent throughout the western part of the state.

Their meals routine incorporates tree sap, which they obtain by drilling neat, horizontal rows of holes in bark. Moreover they eat bugs, significantly ants and beetles, along with small portions of fruit and berries. Like completely different sapsuckers, they maintain their sap wells and may aggressively defend them in opposition to completely different sap-feeding birds.

Pleasant actuality: Pink-breasted Sapsuckers’ sap wells are typically utilized by hummingbirds, which interval their visits to coincide with the sapsucker’s feeding schedule.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a slender woodpecker, measuring 7 to eight inches prolonged with a wingspan of about 16 inches. It has a black-and-white patterned physique, a vibrant pink crown, and a pale yellow wash on the abdomen. Males have a pink throat, whereas females have a white throat. Its daring facial pattern with black and white stripes makes it stand out amongst completely different woodpeckers.

This species is primarily a migrant in Colorado, passing by way of all through spring and fall. They’re further widespread throughout the jap part of the state and are current in deciduous forests, orchards, and wooded river valleys. All through migration, they could moreover appear in metropolis parks and big backyards with mature bushes.

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers feed intently on tree sap, drilling orderly rows of small holes. Bugs, significantly these drawn to the sap, type an vital part of their meals routine. They may even eat berries all through migration. Not like completely different woodpeckers, they spend a superb portion of time perched quietly near their sap wells.

Pleasant actuality: Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are the one woodpecker species in jap North America that is absolutely migratory, touring as far south as Central America for the winter.

American Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis)

The American Three-toed Woodpecker is a medium-sized species, measuring 8.5 to 9.1 inches prolonged with a wingspan of 14 to fifteen inches. True to its title, it has solely three toes instead of the identical outdated 4 current in most woodpeckers. Males have a yellow patch on the crown, whereas females do not. Every sexes have black-and-white barred backs and pale underparts with darkish streaking on the flanks.

In Colorado, they’re normally current in coniferous forests at elevated elevations, significantly in areas the place bushes have been killed by beetles or fire. They concentrate on flaking bark off lifeless or dying bushes to hunt out wood-boring beetle larvae. This makes them vital in controlling forest pest populations.

Their meals routine consists just about absolutely of bugs, notably beetle larvae, ants, and completely different invertebrates hidden beneath bark. They hardly go to feeders nonetheless is likely to be seen by their methodical foraging on standing lifeless bushes. They’re quiet as compared with many woodpeckers, relying further on delicate tapping than loud drumming.

Pleasant actuality: On account of they thrive in beetle-infested forests, American Three-toed Woodpecker populations normally enhance after wildfires or insect outbreaks.

Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus)

The Black-backed Woodpecker is a unusual and specialised rooster in Colorado, measuring about 9 inches prolonged with a wingspan of 15 to 16 inches. It has a robust black once more, which blends utterly with charred tree trunks, and white underparts with black barring on the sides. Males have a small yellow crown patch, whereas females do not.

In Colorado, they’re found primarily in not too way back burned coniferous forests at elevated elevations. They’re year-round residents nonetheless occur in low densities. Their presence is strongly tied to forest fires, as they feed on wood-boring beetle larvae that infest burned bushes.

Their meals routine is type of utterly bugs, significantly these current in freshly lifeless conifers. They use their chisel-like funds to strip away bark in huge flakes, forsaking seen foraging marks. On account of they require post-fire habitats, they’re normally among the many many first rooster species to colonize burned areas.

Pleasant actuality: Black-backed Woodpeckers can detect the sound of beetle larvae chewing inside picket, allowing them to discover prey with out relying solely on sight.

Lewis’s Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis)

Lewis’s Woodpecker is probably going probably the most vibrant woodpeckers in Colorado, measuring 10 to 11 inches prolonged with a wingspan of 19 to twenty inches. It has darkish greenish-black upperparts, a pinkish abdomen, a gray collar, and a deep pink face. Not like most woodpeckers, its wings are prolonged and pointed, giving it a further crow-like flight.

In Colorado, Lewis’s Woodpeckers are current in open pine forests, cottonwood groves, and burned woodland areas. They’re further widespread throughout the western part of the state and migrate seasonally, spending winters in lower elevations or further south. Not like most woodpeckers that climb tree trunks, they normally catch bugs in mid-air, a conduct often known as “hawking.”

Their meals routine is varied, along with flying bugs, nuts, and fruits. In fall, they retailer acorns and pine seeds in crevices for winter use. Moreover they eat berries extensively all through migration. They’re normally seen perched conspicuously on lifeless snags, scanning for insect prey.

Pleasant actuality: Lewis’s Woodpecker was named after explorer Meriwether Lewis, who first described the species via the Lewis and Clark expedition throughout the early 1800s.

Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)

The Acorn Woodpecker is a medium-sized, extraordinarily social woodpecker, measuring about 7.5 to 9 inches prolonged with a wingspan of 14 to 17 inches. It has a dangling look with a black once more, white abdomen, white patches on the wings, a vibrant pink crown, and a white face bordered by black. Males have barely further intensive pink on the top than females. Its daring markings make it unmistakable amongst Colorado’s woodpeckers.

In Colorado, Acorn Woodpeckers are found primarily throughout the far southwestern part of the state, inhabiting oak woodlands, mixed pine-oak forests, and areas with scattered huge bushes. They’re year-round residents in these areas, dwelling in family groups that work collectively to retailer meals. Their distinctive social development items them aside from most completely different woodpecker species.

Their meals routine incorporates acorns, bugs, and fruits. They’re well-known for his or her “granary bushes,” the place they drill a whole lot of small holes into tree trunks or picket constructions and stuff each with a single acorn. This enormous meals storage system sustains them by way of the winter months when bugs are scarce.

Pleasant actuality: A single granary tree utilized by an Acorn Woodpecker colony can comprise tens of a whole lot of acorns, each fastidiously wedged so it obtained’t fall out.

Pink-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)

The Pink-headed Woodpecker is a dangling rooster with a robust crimson head, snow-white underparts, and black wings accented with huge white patches. It measures 7.5 to 9.25 inches prolonged with a wingspan of 16 to 17 inches. Every sexes look alike, making them easy to find out even at a distance. Juveniles, however, are brownish with mottled heads and repeatedly buy their grownup colors.

In Colorado, they’re primarily found throughout the jap plains all through summer season, inhabiting open woodlands, riparian areas, and farmlands with scattered bushes. They migrate south in winter, although a few might keep in milder areas if meals is plentiful.

Their meals routine is remarkably varied, along with bugs, seeds, fruits, and even small vertebrates. They’re one in all many few woodpeckers that catch bugs in flight. Similar to the Acorn Woodpecker, they retailer meals for later use, hiding nuts and seeds in tree crevices.

Pleasant actuality: Pink-headed Woodpeckers are recognized to cowl saved meals with bark or picket chips, efficiently hiding it from potential thieves.

Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris)

The Ladder-backed Woodpecker is a small, desert-adapted species measuring 6.5 to 7.5 inches prolonged with a wingspan of about 13 inches. It has a black-and-white “ladder” pattern on its once more, a white face with black stripes, and a barred abdomen. Males have a pink crown, whereas females do not. This patterning makes it well-camouflaged in opposition to tree bark in its arid habitats.

In Colorado, Ladder-backed Woodpeckers are found primarily throughout the southeastern part of the state, inhabiting dry scrublands, desert washes, and mesquite or juniper woodlands. They’re non-migratory and are properly tailor-made to the sparse tree cowl of these environments.

Their meals routine consists largely of bugs similar to beetles, caterpillars, and ants, which they glean from branches and cacti. Moreover they eat fruits, seeds, and sometimes cactus pulp. They’re quick and agile foragers, transferring shortly alongside branches and sometimes hanging the opposite method as much as obtain prey.

Pleasant actuality: Ladder-backed Woodpeckers are typically seen foraging on cholla cacti, fastidiously avoiding the sharp spines whereas probing for bugs hidden inside.

FAQs About Woodpeckers in Colorado

What’s the most common woodpecker in Colorado?

The Downy Woodpecker is taken into consideration the most common woodpecker in Colorado. It could be found year-round in forests, parks, orchards, and even suburban backyards. Its adaptability to utterly completely different habitats makes it a frequent sight for every metropolis and rural birdwatchers.

Do woodpeckers migrate in Colorado?

Some woodpecker species in Colorado migrate, whereas others are eternal residents. As an example, Northern Glints and Williamson’s Sapsuckers migrate seasonally, whereas Downy and Bushy Woodpeckers tend to stay year-round. Migration patterns depend upon the species and seasonal meals availability.

What do woodpeckers eat in Colorado?

Woodpeckers in Colorado primarily eat bugs similar to beetle larvae, ants, and caterpillars. Many moreover feed on tree sap, fruits, seeds, and nuts. Some, similar to the Lewis’s and Acorn Woodpeckers, are recognized to retailer meals for winter use.

The place is the proper place to see woodpeckers in Colorado?

The right areas to see woodpeckers in Colorado embody forested mountain slopes, riparian corridors, and open woodlands. State parks like Roxborough, Golden Gate Canyon, and Mueller State Park are wonderful spots. Even metropolis areas with mature bushes can host a lot of species.

Why do woodpeckers drill holes in bushes?

Woodpeckers drill holes for a lot of causes: to hunt out bugs under the bark, to create nesting cavities, or to retailer meals similar to acorns. Sapsuckers drill shallow rows of holes to feed on tree sap, whereas completely different woodpeckers make deeper holes to entry insect larvae.

Are woodpeckers protected in Colorado?

Certain, all woodpeckers in Colorado are protected under the Migratory Rooster Treaty Act. This suggests it is illegal to harm them, take away their nests, or disturb their eggs. Birdwatchers and homeowners ought to focus on non-invasive methods for managing woodpecker train.

Can I entice woodpeckers to my yard in Colorado?

Certain. You can entice woodpeckers by providing suet feeders, peanuts, and sunflower seeds. Leaving lifeless bushes or snags standing (if safe) presents pure foraging and nesting options. Planting native fruiting bushes might current a pure meals provide.