Do you often hear rhythmic taps resonating throughout Washington’s forests and wonder what makes such sounds? The colorful woodpeckers and their behaviors are to blame. Woodpeckers in Washington thrive both in the overgrown forests and in well-maintained suburban backyards.
Their forests extending over half the state covered with dense forests provides ample trees for nesting and foraging. Along with the Olympic Peninsula’s rainforests and Washington’s Cascade mountain pine woodlands, woodpeckers in Washington boast rich foraging resources.
These birds can also be found in urban areas because they easily adjust to life in parks and gardens. An ideal resource for a woodpecker haven is the mild climate in the state which ensures year-round food. Woodpeckers in Washington rely on the trees for survival.
Along with pecking for insects skillfully sheltered beneath the bark, they excavate cavities for nesting. Diverse food sources abound in Washington’s mix of deciduous and coniferous trees. Species like the Oak Acorn Woodpecker are drawn to the oak groves while pine forests attract the Northern Flicker. This variety supports a diverse rich woodpecker population.
For birdwatchers and other curious types, this guide is a perfect fit. You don’t need to look anywhere else as this whack job of a guide contains deeply explored information on the species, habitats, behaviours, conservation efforts and all their woodpeckers of Washington.
Key Takeaways:
- Washington hosts a variety of woodpecker species, each with distinct traits.
- Habitats range from urban areas to remote forests, influencing woodpecker behavior.
- Conservation efforts are vital to protect woodpeckers from habitat loss.
- Birdwatchers can spot woodpeckers year-round with the right techniques.
- Woodpeckers play a key role in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
12 Common Woodpecker Species in Washington – Stunning Photos & Tips:
Washington is home to several woodpecker species, each with unique features. Below, we explore the most common ones, their characteristics, and where to spot them.
Northern Flicker:
- Appearance: Brown with black spots, red or black chest crescent, yellow or red underwing flashes.
- Diet: Ants, beetles, berries, and seeds.
- Behavior: Forages on ground, performs undulating flight.
- Habitat: Open woodlands, suburbs, parks.
- Call: Loud, repetitive “wick-wick-wick” or “ki-ki-ki.”
- Nesting: Excavates cavities in dead trees or utility poles.
Northern Flickers typically forage on the ground unlike other woodpeckers. Their breast has a red or black crescent and their plumage is strikingly marked. These birds like suburban neighborhoods and open woods. Look for their undulating flight and listen for their booming “wick-wick-wick”.
Surprisingly flexible, Northern Flickers may find their homes in cities. They probe for ants with their somewhat curled bills by visiting lawns and gardens. Especially in spring and summer when their cries fill the air, their ability to flourish in a variety of habitats makes them among the most often spotted woodpeckers in Washington.
Pileated Woodpecker:
- Appearance: Black body, red crest, white chin, white wing patches.
- Diet: Carpenter ants, wood-boring beetles, fruits.
- Behavior: Creates large, rectangular holes; strong, direct flight.
- Habitat: Mature forests, old-growth woodlands.
- Call: Loud, cackling “wuk-wuk-wuk” or “kuk-kuk.”
- Nesting: Digs deep cavities in large trees, often reused by other species.
With a wingspan up to thirty inches and a distinctive red crest, the Pileated Woodpecker is the biggest woodpecker found in Washington. It builds big, rectangular caverns in deep woodlands. The woods echo its loud, resonant thumping. Find them in Olympic National Park’s old-growth woods, similar ones elsewhere.
Remarkably strong, Pileated Woodpeckers clearly show their presence. Deep, rectangular holes in dead trees that serve as habitats for various species including owls and bats are sometimes found during their excavations. Seeing one in action—wood chips flying—allows one to appreciate their essential part in forest ecosystems.
Downy Woodpecker:
- Appearance: Black and white, short bill, red patch on male’s head.
- Diet: Insects, seeds, berries, suet from feeders.
- Behavior: Agile climber, frequents feeders.
- Habitat: Forests, suburbs, backyards.
- Call: Sharp “pik” or soft whinnying sound.
- Nesting: Small cavities in dead branches or trees.
About six inches long, the downy woodpecker is the smallest species of woodpecker found in Washington. Its black-and- white plumage and small beak help one to recognize it. Males have a red patch on their heads. Often frequent suet feeders, these flexible birds excel in backyards, parks, and woodlands.
Among backyard birdwatchers, Downy Woodpeckers— very bold for their size—are a favorite. Not bothered by human presence, they flit between trees and feeders using rapid, jerky motions. Their tiny stature lets them take advantage of twigs and smaller branches, therefore gaining access to food supplies bigger woodpeckers cannot reach.
Hairy Woodpecker:
- Appearance: Black and white, long bill, red patch on male’s head.
- Diet: Insects, larvae, seeds, nuts.
- Behavior: Strong pecking, less feeder-dependent.
- Habitat: Mature forests, woodlands.
- Call: Sharp “peek” or rattling call.
- Nesting: Excavates cavities in larger trees than Downy.
The Hairy Woodpecker boasts a longer beak and striking white patterns, much like the Downy but bigger. It gives preference for huge trees in mature forests. Its clear “peek” cry and fast drumming set it apart. Usually preferring natural foraging, these woodpeckers hardly ever visit feeders.
Especially territorial, Hairy Woodpeckers keep separate regions of foraging in deep woodlands. Their taste in bigger trees and deeper woodlands distinguishes them from their smaller Downy kin. Finding them in Washington’s tough terrain typically depends on birdwatchers’ louder, more powerful pounding.
Lewis’s Woodpecker:
- Appearance: Greenish-black back, pink-red belly, silver collar.
- Diet: Flying insects, berries, nuts.
- Behavior: Aerial foraging, hawk-like flight.
- Habitat: Open pine forests, burned areas.
- Call: Soft, churring or harsh “yick” sound.
- Nesting: Uses existing cavities or soft dead trees.
Lewis’s Woodpecker stands out with its pinkish-red belly and iridescent greenish-black feathers. It like scorched regions and open pine woods. It strikes insects in mid-air unlike other woodpeckers. Its melodic, churring voice is distinctive. Look among the parched woodlands of eastern Washington.
Lewis’s Woodpeckers, elegantly acrobatic, fly across wide forests like little hawks. Birdwatchers find them exciting because of their unusual foraging technique—catching insects in flight. Their vivid colors shine in the sunlight during summer, particularly in burnt areas where they flourish.
Black-backed Woodpecker:
- Appearance: Black body, yellow crown on males, white throat.
- Diet: Wood-boring beetles, larvae.
- Behavior: Clings to charred trees, elusive.
- Habitat: Burned forests, coniferous woodlands.
- Call: Sharp “kyik” or soft clucks.
- Nesting: Cavities in dead, burned trees.
Driven by wood-boring insects, the Black-backed Woodpecker flourishes in burnt woodlands. Particularly unique are its sooty black plumage and golden crown (on males). Often found in distant places like the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, these birds are elusive. Their keen “kyik” call guides one to them.
Highly specialized Black-backed Woodpeckers are drawn to freshly burnt woodlands. Their black plumage is difficult to see as it mixes perfectly with burnt woods. Their dependence on post-fire habitats emphasizes the need to protect Washington’s unique ecosystems.
Red-naped Sapsucker:
- Appearance: Red throat, black-and-white face, yellow belly.
- Diet: Sap, insects, berries.
- Behavior: Drills sap wells, territorial drumming.
- Habitat: Mixed forests, aspen groves.
- Call: Soft, mewing “waa” or nasal whine.
- Nesting: Cavities in aspens or conifers.
To ingest sap and insects, this sapsucker drills tidy rows of holes. Its face marks are black-and- white and its neck is crimson. Choosing mixed woods, Cascades are very prevalent. Its mewing cry is sof and its drumming is erratic. To find them, spring is the optimum time.
Red-naped Sapsuckers make fascinatingly meticulous sap wells that draw other animals including insects and hummingbirds. Their exact drilling patterns, which supply food for several species in Washington’s woods, are evidence of their role as ecosystem engineers.
Red-breasted Sapsucker:
- Appearance: Red head and breast, black wings, white patch.
- Diet: Sap, insects, tree cambium.
- Behavior: Creates sap wells, defends feeding sites.
- Habitat: Coniferous forests, coastal woodlands.
- Call: Soft, nasal “mew” or squeal.
- Nesting: Cavities in conifers or dead trees.
Known for drilling sap wells, the Red-breasted Sapsucker has a vibrant red head and breast. It feeds on sap and insects attracted to it. These birds prefer coniferous forests and are common in western Washington. Their soft, nasal call is a key identifier.
Visually striking, Red-breasted Sapsuckers are a highlight of western Washington’s forests. Their bright red plumage contrasts sharply with the green conifers, making them easier to spot during their active feeding periods. Their sap wells often become hubs of activity, drawing in other birds and insects.
Williamson’s Sapsucker:
- Appearance: Males black with red throat; females brown with bars.
- Diet: Sap, insects, pine seeds.
- Behavior: Drills sap wells, elusive in high elevations.
- Habitat: High-elevation coniferous forests.
- Call: Cat-like “mew” or staccato drumming.
- Nesting: Cavities in pines or firs.
Rare in Washington, Williamson’s Sapsucker has striking sexual dimorphism. Males are black with a red throat, while females are brown with barred patterns. They inhabit high-elevation coniferous forests. Their staccato drumming and cat-like calls are distinctive. Spot them in the Blue Mountains.
Distinctly elusive, Williamson’s Sapsuckers are a prize for dedicated birdwatchers. Their starkly different male and female plumages often confuse observers, as they appear like separate species. Their preference for remote, high-altitude forests adds to the challenge of spotting them in Washington.
White-headed Woodpecker:
- Appearance: White head, black body, white wing patches.
- Diet: Pine seeds, insects, berries.
- Behavior: Forages on pinecones, minimal drilling.
- Habitat: Dry pine forests, open woodlands.
- Call: High-pitched “pit-pit” or sharp “tchik.”
- Nesting: Cavities in pines or snags.
Rarely seen is the White-headed Woodpecker, with its black body and audacious white head. It gives eastern Washington pine woodlands preference. Unlike some other woodpeckers, it prefers seeds and insects and seldom drills for sap. Its high-pitched cry resonates in arid woodlands similar to those close to Yakima.
Uniquely specialized, White-headed Woodpeckers are adept at extracting seeds from pinecones, a skill few woodpeckers share. Their striking white heads make them stand out against the dark pine bark, offering a rewarding sight for those exploring eastern Washington’s dry forests.
Acorn Woodpecker:
- Appearance: Red cap, white face, black chin, clown-like markings.
- Diet: Acorns, insects, sap.
- Behavior: Stores acorns in granaries, social groups.
- Habitat: Oak woodlands, mixed forests.
- Call: Loud “waka-waka” or “ja-cob” sound.
- Nesting: Cavities in oaks or communal granaries.
Store acorns in “granary” trees, and Acorn Woodpeckers create a distinctive sight. Their clown-like features, with white and red marks, are striking. In southern Washington, they like oak woods. Their noisy “waka-waka” cries out their presence. Seek them close to the Columbia River Gorge.
Socially fascinating, Acorn Woodpeckers live in cooperative groups, maintaining granary trees with thousands of stored acorns. Their lively interactions and distinctive calls create a vibrant atmosphere in Washington’s oak woodlands, making them a delight to observe in their communal habitats.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker:
- Appearance: Red forehead, yellow belly, black-and-white wings.
- Diet: Sap, insects, berries.
- Behavior: Drills sap wells, migratory.
- Habitat: Mixed forests (migration stopovers).
- Call: Soft, slurred “mew” or nasal “whee.”
- Nesting: Cavities in deciduous trees (outside Washington).
A rare visitor to Washington, the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker has a yellowish belly and red forehead. It drills sap wells like other sapsuckers. These birds are occasional migrants, spotted in eastern Washington during spring. Their soft, slurred calls are subtle but distinctive.
Rarely seen, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers bring an element of surprise to Washington’s birdwatching scene. Their brief spring visits to eastern Washington offer a fleeting opportunity to observe their meticulous sap-drilling habits, often in mixed forests where they pause during migration.
Habitats and Distribution Across Washington – Top Spots to See Woodpeckers Revealed:
Nesting places and food availability determine their dispersion. With its verdant woodlands, Western Washington helps creatures like the Red-breasted Sapsucker. Drier pine woods in Eastern Washington draw Lewis’s Woodpeckers and White-headed Woodpeckers. Because of their plenty of trees and feeders, urban locations such Seattle and Spokane attract Downy Woodpeckers.
Seasonal fluctuations affect woodpecker activity. They drum in spring to set territories and draw mates. Summer delivers many insects, a main food source. Woodpeckers eat stored food or suet feeders in winter. Except for the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, which comes temporarily, most species migrate little.
Woodpeckers profit from parks and gardens in towns. They nest in decorative trees or scratch at utility poles. Large woodlands found in rural regions are the perfect habitat for animals such as the Pileated Woodpecker. But urban growth compromises rural areas, forcing some woodpeckers into cities.
Different woods draw different kinds of creatures. Red-breasted Sapsuckers would find coniferous woodlands ideal. Acorn Woodpeckers find a home in deciduous woodlands. Lewis’s Woodpeckers live in open pine forests; burned woods draw Black-backed Woodpeckers. Mixed woods host a variety of species.
Where to Find Downy Woodpeckers?
Widespread and flexible, downy woodpeckers are simple to find over Washington in a range of environments. These are their places to be found:
Gardens and Parks in Urban Areas: Search municipal parks such as Spokane’s Manito Park or Discovery Park in Seattle. Usually pecking at little branches, they visit beautiful trees and bushes.
Downy Woodpeckers: Especially in winter visit suet and seed feeders in suburban backyards. To draw them, set up a feeder in your yard using peanuts or suet.
Mount Rainier National Park: Visit woods such as those found in Mount Rainier National Park or the Gifford Pinchot National Forest—deciduous and mixed forests. Their preferred habitat is one including alder, maple, or oak trees.
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge: Check places like the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, where they graze on willows and cottonwoods, near rivers or marshes.
Look for black-and- white plumage and rapid, jerky motions in tiny branches and tree trunks. Eight times magnification binoculars improve your chances of finding these little woodpeckers.
Conservation Challenges and Efforts – Saving Washington’s Woodpeckers in 2025:
For Pileated and Black-backed Woodpeckers in particular, deforestation reduces breeding places. Climate change and habitat loss threaten woodpeckers. Urban growth fragments woods, therefore reducing food supplies. Changes in temperature influence insect numbers, hence influencing woodpecker diets.
Projects for conservation seek to safeguard environments for woodpeachers. Groups such as the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife track numbers. Projects of reforestation rebuild places of nesting. By reporting sightings to websites like eBird, birdwatchers help.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Are woodpeckers protected in Washington State?
Yes, woodpeckers are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It’s illegal to harm them or disturb their nests without a permit in Washington.
What do woodpeckers look like in Washington State?
Woodpeckers in Washington vary: Northern Flickers have spotted brown plumage, Pileated Woodpeckers sport red crests, Downy Woodpeckers are small with black-and-white feathers, and sapsuckers like Red-breasted have red heads. Most have strong beaks and cling to trees.
Is it good to have woodpeckers in your yard?
Yes, woodpeckers control pest insects like ants and beetles. They may peck at trees or siding, but offering suet feeders can minimize damage while supporting them.
How can you tell a sapsucker from a woodpecker?
Sapsuckers, a type of woodpecker, drill neat rows of holes (sap wells) for sap and insects. Other woodpeckers peck irregularly for insects. Sapsuckers, like Red-naped, often have red markings and softer calls.
Conclusion:
With their vivid hues and rhythmic hammering, Washington’s woodpeckers enthrall From the little Downy to the great Pileated, these birds live in a variety of environments. Their flexibility is shown in their actions including cavity excavation and drumming.
But habitat loss compromises their existence. Supporting birding and conservation will help to save these important species. Look up next time you hear a tap in the forest; you could see a woodpecker at work.