When one thinks of New York, the first thing that comes to mind is most likely the concrete jungle of New York City. However, this state has a lot more to it than just the big apple. It’s home to the Adirondack Mountains, Niagara Falls and Adirondack State Parks, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean.
The state is also a haven for wildlife, hosting over 20 species of mammals and a wide array of birds, including various birds of prey, diverse waterfowl, delicate hummingbirds, and melodious songbirds. For this article we’re going to take a close look at the 9 species of Woodpeckers in New York and how to find them.
Species of Woodpeckers in New York
The 9 Species of woodpecker in New York include; Northern Flickers, Red-headed Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Yellow-bellied Woodpeckers, Downy Woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpeckers, Pileated Woodpeckers, American Three-toed Woodpeckers, and Black-backed Woodpeckers.
Not all of these species are found year-round in New York, but they all occur regularly at certain times of the year.
1. Northern Flicker
Length: 11.0-12.2 in
Weight: 3.9-5.6 oz
Wingspan: 16.5-20.1 in
Throughout most of New York Northern Flickers are found year-round. However, at the very northern tip of the state, they may only occur during the breeding season. Northern Flickers stand out from the other species of black and white woodpeckers in New York due to the gray-brown plumage that covers most of their bodies.
They also have plenty of dark markings on their undersides as well as brightly colored tail feathers — yellow for birds in the east and red for those in the west.
Northern Flickers are large woodpeckers with slim, round heads. Unlike most woodpeckers, they’re often spotted on the ground where they forage for ants and other insects with their long, slightly curved bills. When they do spend time in trees, it’s often perched vertically on branches rather than on the sides of trees.
2. Red-Headed Woodpecker
