How to Identify a Woodpecker

Bird watchers who are looking for woodpeckers to add to their should narrow their search. There are dozens of woodpecker species in the United States, including the pileated, hairy and red-bellied woodpecker. You can identify a woodpecker by calls, plumage and specific color patterns.

Things You'll Need

• Binoculars

Instructions

1. Note the colors. The most common woodpecker is the Downy variety, which has black and white feathers. The Ladder-backed woodpecker is one of a few woodpeckers with a series of stripes down the back to the base of the tail. Male woodpeckers have red markings on the back part of the head, which attract female woodpeckers.

2. Examine the eyes and face of a woodpecker to determine gender. Female woodpeckers have a white stripe around both eyes, which contrasts with the all-black face of a male woodpecker.

3. Listen for the sound of rapid drilling. Woodpeckers drive their beaks into living trees to draw out sap and worms, which causes a loud and distinctive knocking sound.

4. Assess the age of a woodpecker by looking at the elevation of its nest. Young woodpeckers start nests in treetops, gradually moving down to lower branches as they age.

5. Look fo clusters of disparate birds. Woodpeckers mix with a variety of small birds to find new food sources during fall and winter.

6. Compare brood size. Female woodpeckers produce up to eight eggs with each brood, and reproduce more than once annually.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult with a local naturalist if you see a bird that looks like a woodpecker in the Southwest. Woodpeckers live in heavily forested areas so they can find sap, worms and other food. There may be an uncommon breed of woodpecker or Cardinal residing in your backyard if you live in Arizona, New Mexico or Texas.

• Act with caution whenever you approach a bird's nest. Female birds might attack you if they think you're out to steal their eggs.