Michigan, with its diverse ecosystems ranging from dense forests to open woodlands and suburban areas, is a haven for bird watchers. Among the avian diversity, woodpeckers hold a special place due to their distinctive behaviors, calls, and the unique role they play in the ecosystem. This comprehensive guide explores ten types of woodpeckers found in Michigan, detailing their characteristics, habitats, and behaviors to help you identify and understand these fascinating birds.
1. Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)
The Downy Woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker in North America and a common sight in Michigan. It measures about 6-7 inches in length, making it roughly the size of a sparrow. Despite its small size, the Downy Woodpecker is robust and resilient, capable of thriving in a variety of habitats.
Description: This bird has a distinctive black and white plumage. The males have a small red patch on the back of their heads, which is absent in females. They have a white back, underparts, and a black upper part with white spots on the wings. Their small size and short bill differentiate them from the similar-looking Hairy Woodpecker.
Habitat: Downy Woodpeckers are highly adaptable. They are found in deciduous forests, woodlots, parks, and suburban areas. They frequently visit backyard bird feeders, especially those offering suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts.
Behavior: These woodpeckers are often seen clinging to tree trunks and branches, tapping for insects hidden under the bark. Their diet includes insects, larvae, seeds, and berries. They have a distinctive drumming sound, which they use to communicate and establish territory.
2. Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus)
Slightly larger than the Downy Woodpecker, the Hairy Woodpecker measures about 9-10 inches in length. It is a striking bird, known for its black and white pattern and the sharp contrast between its white belly and black wings.
Description: Hairy Woodpeckers look very similar to Downy Woodpeckers but are larger with a noticeably longer bill. Males have a red patch on the back of their heads. Their black and white plumage features a white back and underparts, with black wings adorned with white spots.
Habitat: They prefer mature forests with large trees but can also be found in woodlands, forest edges, and suburban areas. They are less likely to visit feeders than Downy Woodpeckers but can be enticed with suet and peanut feeders.
Behavior: Hairy Woodpeckers are strong fliers and climbers. They feed mainly on insects, particularly beetle larvae, which they extract from tree bark. They also consume fruits, nuts, and seeds. Their drumming is louder and more forceful than that of the Downy Woodpecker.
3. Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)
The Red-bellied Woodpecker is a medium-sized bird, measuring about 9-10 inches in length. Despite its name, the reddish tint on its belly is often faint and not easily visible, making its red cap and nape more prominent identification features.
Description: These woodpeckers have a pale, often reddish tint on their bellies. They are more easily identified by their black and white barred backs and bright red caps that extend from the bill to the nape in males, while females have red only on the nape and above the beak.
Habitat: Red-bellied Woodpeckers are found in deciduous forests, woodlands, and suburban areas. They are frequent visitors to bird feeders, especially those offering suet, nuts, and fruits.
Behavior: Known for their loud calls and distinctive drumming, Red-bellied Woodpeckers are active and agile. They feed on a variety of insects, fruits, nuts, and seeds. They often store food in tree crevices for later consumption.
4. Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
The Northern Flicker is one of the larger woodpeckers found in Michigan, measuring about 11-12 inches. Unlike most woodpeckers, Northern Flickers often forage on the ground, searching for ants and beetles.
Description: Northern Flickers have a brownish body with black bars, a white rump patch visible during flight, and a red patch on the back of their heads. They have a spotted belly and a black crescent-shaped mark on their chests.
Habitat: They are found in open woodlands, forest edges, and urban parks. They are also common in residential areas with large trees and open spaces.
Behavior: Northern Flickers feed primarily on ants and beetles, which they dig out from the ground using their slightly curved bills. They also consume fruits and seeds. Their distinctive “wick-a-wick” call and strong, undulating flight make them easily recognizable.
5. Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker in Michigan, measuring about 16-19 inches. Its striking appearance and loud calls make it one of the most easily recognizable woodpeckers in North America.
Description: This bird has a black body with white stripes on the face and neck, and a bright red crest that is particularly prominent in males. They have a strong, chisel-like bill used for excavating large cavities in trees.
Habitat: Pileated Woodpeckers prefer large, mature forests with plenty of dead trees for nesting and foraging. They are also found in wooded parks and suburban areas with substantial tree cover.
Behavior: These woodpeckers are powerful excavators, creating large rectangular holes in trees to access carpenter ants, their primary food source. They also eat insects, fruits, and nuts. Their loud, resonant drumming and distinctive call can be heard from a great distance.
6. Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
The Red-headed Woodpecker is known for its striking appearance, with a bright red head and contrasting black and white body. It measures about 9-10 inches in length.
Description: These woodpeckers have an entirely red head, neck, and throat. Their bodies are black with white underparts and large white patches on the wings, which are visible during flight.
Habitat: Red-headed Woodpeckers are found in open woodlands, savannas, orchards, and sometimes in suburban areas with dead trees. They are less common than some other species but can be found in suitable habitats.
Behavior: They are agile and acrobatic, often catching insects in flight. They also feed on nuts, seeds, and fruits. Known for their food-storing behavior, they cache food in tree crevices for later use. Their calls are harsh and loud, making them easy to detect.
7. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)
The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a medium-sized woodpecker, measuring about 8-9 inches. It is known for its habit of drilling neat rows of holes in trees to drink sap.
Description: These woodpeckers have a black and white barred back, a red forehead, and a yellowish belly. Males have a red throat, while females have a white throat.
Habitat: Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are found in deciduous forests, particularly those with plenty of birch, maple, and other trees with sap. They migrate, spending summers in northern forests and winters in the southern United States.
Behavior: They drill horizontal rows of small holes in tree bark to access sap, which they lap up with their brush-tipped tongues. They also eat insects attracted to the sap, as well as fruits and berries. Their distinctive drumming and mewing calls are characteristic of this species.
8. Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus)
The Black-backed Woodpecker is a medium-sized bird, about 9 inches in length. It is named for its solid black back, which helps it blend into the charred bark of burned forests.
Description: These woodpeckers have a black back, white belly, and flanks. Males have a yellow patch on their heads. Their black and white plumage is well-suited to their habitat.
Habitat: They prefer coniferous forests, especially in areas that have been recently burned. The charred trees attract beetles, which are their primary food source.
Behavior: Black-backed Woodpeckers forage by flaking off bark to expose insect larvae. They are often found in burned forests, where they specialize in hunting beetles. Their call is a sharp “pik,” and their drumming is slow and deliberate.
9. American Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis)
The American Three-toed Woodpecker is similar in size to the Black-backed Woodpecker, measuring about 8-9 inches. It is unique among woodpeckers for having only three toes instead of the usual four.
Description: These woodpeckers have a black and white barred back and flanks, with a white belly. Males have a yellow cap. The absence of a fourth toe helps them grip tree trunks more effectively.
Habitat: They are found in coniferous forests, particularly in areas affected by wildfires or beetle infestations. They prefer forests with a mix of dead and living trees.
Behavior: American Three-toed Woodpeckers feed on beetle larvae and other insects found in dead or dying trees. They peel off bark to access their prey. Their calls are similar to those of the Black-backed Woodpecker, but their drumming is faster and more continuous.
10. Lewis’s Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis)
Lewis’s Woodpecker is a large woodpecker, measuring about 10-11 inches. It is named after the explorer Meriwether Lewis and has a distinctive appearance and behavior.
Description: These woodpeckers have a greenish-black back, pinkish belly, and a gray collar. Unlike other woodpeckers, they often catch insects in flight, resembling flycatchers in their behavior.
Habitat: They are found in open pine forests, oak woodlands, and sometimes in agricultural areas. They prefer areas with scattered trees and open spaces for foraging.
Behavior: Lewis’s Woodpeckers are unique among woodpeckers for their flycatching behavior. They catch insects in mid-air and also feed on fruits, nuts, and seeds. They store food in bark crevices and are known for their acrobatic flight. Their calls are soft and chattering.
Conclusion
Michigan’s diverse habitats provide a rich environment for woodpeckers, offering bird watchers numerous opportunities to observe these fascinating birds. Each species has its own unique characteristics, behaviors, and preferred habitats, making them a delight to study and watch.
Whether you’re exploring dense forests, open woodlands, or your own backyard, keep an eye out for these ten types of woodpeckers. Their distinctive drumming, calls, and behaviors will enrich your bird-watching experience and deepen your appreciation for the natural world. Enjoy the beauty and diversity of Michigan’s woodpeckers, and happy bird watching!