Hello, bird enthusiasts! Michigan, with its diverse habitats ranging from dense forests to suburban areas, is home to an array of fascinating woodpeckers. These birds are known for their distinctive pecking behavior, which they use to find food and create nesting sites. In this guide, we’ll explore the ten types of woodpeckers you can find in Michigan, highlighting their unique features and habits. Let’s get started!
1. Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)
Description
The Downy Woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker in North America, measuring about 6-7 inches in length. It has a black and white plumage with a white underside, black wings with white spots, and a black-and-white striped head. Males have a small red patch on the back of their heads.
Habitat
Downy Woodpeckers are commonly found in deciduous forests, orchards, and suburban areas. They are adaptable and can also be seen in parks and gardens.
Behavior
These birds feed on insects, larvae, and seeds. They are often seen clinging to tree trunks and branches, tapping lightly as they search for food. They also visit bird feeders, especially those with suet.
2. Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)
Description
The Hairy Woodpecker is similar in appearance to the Downy Woodpecker but larger, measuring about 9-10 inches in length. It has a black and white plumage, a white underside, and black wings with white spots. Males have a red patch on the back of their heads.
Habitat
Hairy Woodpeckers prefer mature forests with large trees but can also be found in woodlands, parks, and suburban areas.
Behavior
They have a similar diet to the Downy Woodpecker, feeding on insects, larvae, and seeds. Hairy Woodpeckers are known for their loud, sharp calls and vigorous drumming on tree trunks.
3. Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)
Description
The Red-bellied Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker, measuring about 9-10 inches in length. It has a striking black and white barred back, a pale underside with a reddish tinge, and a red cap that extends from the beak to the back of the neck in males, while females have a red nape.
Habitat
These woodpeckers are commonly found in deciduous forests, woodlands, and suburban areas.
Behavior
Red-bellied Woodpeckers feed on insects, nuts, fruits, and seeds. They are known for their loud calls and frequent visits to bird feeders.
4. Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
Description
The Northern Flicker is a large woodpecker, measuring about 11-14 inches in length. It has a brownish body with black bars on the back and wings, a white rump, and a black crescent on the chest. Males have a red nape and a black or red mustache stripe, depending on the region.
Habitat
Northern Flickers are found in open woodlands, forests, and suburban areas. They often forage on the ground.
Behavior
Unlike most woodpeckers, Northern Flickers primarily feed on ants and beetles. They also eat fruits and seeds. Their distinctive calls and drumming are common sounds in their habitats.
5. Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
Description
The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker in Michigan, measuring about 16-19 inches in length. It has a mostly black body, white stripes on the face and neck, and a striking red crest. Males have a red stripe on the cheek.
Habitat
Pileated Woodpeckers prefer large, mature forests with plenty of dead trees for nesting and foraging.
Behavior
These woodpeckers feed on insects, especially carpenter ants, and beetle larvae. They create large, rectangular holes in trees to find food and make nesting sites. Their loud, resonant drumming and calls are unmistakable.
6. Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
Description
The Red-headed Woodpecker is easily recognizable by its bright red head, neck, and throat, with a black back and white underparts. It measures about 7-9 inches in length.
Habitat
These woodpeckers are found in open woodlands, orchards, and suburban areas.
Behavior
Red-headed Woodpeckers have a varied diet that includes insects, nuts, fruits, and seeds. They are known to catch insects in flight and store food in tree crevices.
7. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)
Description
The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a medium-sized woodpecker, measuring about 8-9 inches in length. It has a black and white patterned body with a distinctive red forehead and throat in males, and a yellowish belly.
Habitat
These woodpeckers prefer deciduous forests and woodlands, often near water sources.
Behavior
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers feed on tree sap, insects, and fruits. They create rows of small holes in tree bark to access sap, which attracts insects that they also consume.
8. Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis)
Description
The Red-cockaded Woodpecker is a small to medium-sized woodpecker, measuring about 7-9 inches in length. It has black and white barred back, white cheeks, and a small red patch or “cockade” on the males’ head.
Habitat
These woodpeckers prefer mature pine forests and are less common in Michigan compared to other woodpecker species.
Behavior
Red-cockaded Woodpeckers primarily feed on insects, particularly ants, and other arthropods. They are known for creating nesting cavities in live pine trees, which provide crucial habitat for many other species.
9. Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis)
Description
The Three-toed Woodpecker is a small woodpecker, measuring about 8-9 inches in length. It has a black and white barred back, a white underside, and a yellow cap in males.
Habitat
These woodpeckers are typically found in coniferous forests, particularly those affected by fire or disease.
Behavior
Three-toed Woodpeckers feed on insects, especially bark beetles and their larvae. They are known for their unique, slow drumming patterns and are less common than other woodpeckers in Michigan.
10. Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus)
Description
The Black-backed Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker, measuring about 9-10 inches in length. It has a black back, white underside, and a yellow crown in males.
Habitat
These woodpeckers prefer coniferous forests, especially in recently burned areas where they can find abundant food.
Behavior
Black-backed Woodpeckers primarily feed on wood-boring insects and larvae. They are known for their distinctive, steady drumming and are more common in the northern parts of Michigan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the best time of year to see woodpeckers in Michigan? A1: Woodpeckers can be seen year-round in Michigan, but spring and summer are the best times as they are more active and vocal during the breeding season.
Q2: How can I attract woodpeckers to my backyard? A2: Providing suet feeders, bird baths, and nesting boxes can attract woodpeckers to your yard. Planting native trees and shrubs also creates a suitable habitat.
Q3: Do woodpeckers harm trees? A3: Woodpeckers typically peck at trees to find insects or create nesting sites. While minor pecking usually doesn’t harm healthy trees, extensive damage can occur on diseased or weakened trees.
Q4: Are all woodpeckers in Michigan year-round residents? A4: Most woodpeckers in Michigan are year-round residents, but some species, like the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, migrate south for the winter.
Q5: How can I distinguish between Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers? A5: Downy Woodpeckers are smaller with a shorter bill compared to Hairy Woodpeckers. Hairy Woodpeckers have a more robust build and a longer bill.
Conclusion: Enjoying Michigan’s Woodpeckers
Michigan’s diverse habitats provide a home for a variety of woodpecker species, each with unique characteristics and behaviors. Whether you’re in a dense forest or your own backyard, keep an eye (and ear) out for these fascinating birds. Their drumming and calls are not just signs of their presence but also a testament to the rich biodiversity of Michigan.