Winter a great time for unique woodpeckers

As winter approaches, we will begin to see more birds showing up at our backyard bird feeders or in our bare trees; and some of those birds will be woodpeckers. As a result, winter is a great time of year to see the many different kinds of unique woodpeckers we have in Iowa. So, grab your binoculars and check out these fascinating birds.
Woodpeckers can usually be identified by certain unique characteristics. They are well adapted to picking insects out of wood, so they have long bills and even longer tongues. They also have short legs, large nails, and stiff tails that help them to cling to and climb up trees. Their ability to find insects in trees means that they’re able to find food even the middle of winter, so they can often be seen even during the coldest of months.
Here in Iowa, we have nine species of woodpeckers, although two of these species (Lewis’s woodpecker and the black-backed woodpecker) are accidental, with only a few individuals showing up every few decades. The seven remaining species, though, all nest in the state. And, most spend the whole year in the state, meaning that winter is a wonderful time to observe them.
The most common woodpecker in Iowa, and the smallest, is the little downy woodpecker. This little black and white bird is found throughout the year and loves to frequent bird feeders. The males have a red spot on the back of their head. Hairy woodpeckers are very similar to downies, and also like backyard feeders, but they are larger (with much larger beaks) and are not quite as common. They seem to prefer more wooded areas and the males also have a red spot on the back of their head.
The red-bellied woodpecker is also very common throughout the state and it, too, enjoys visiting our feeders. Red-bellies are large, tan-colored birds, with a black and white back. The females have a red neck, but the red extends all the way up over the head on the males. They can be found in Iowa all year and are the second most common woodpeckers in Iowa during the winter (after the downy woodpecker).
The final woodpecker that we have consistently in Iowa all year is the pileated woodpecker, a very large black and white bird (up to 18” long) with a large red crest. They inhabit densely wooded areas, especially around rivers or streams. They are not as common as other year-round woodpeckers, and they don’t visit bird feeders, so they often aren’t seen. But, their size and bright colors make them a truly impressive bird.
The other three species of Iowa’s woodpeckers all migrate, but usually there are a few that hang around during the winter. These include brownish-grey northern flickers. Although some will remain throughout the winter, the ones that do migrate are often quite conspicuous in the fall as they gather in flocks to feed. Their favorite food is ants, so they can usually be found feeding on the ground. Red-headed woodpeckers, with their striking black and white body and bright red head, can also sometimes be found in Iowa during the winter months, although many do head south in the fall. And, although some yellow-bellied sapsuckers tough out our Iowa winters, most are observed as they fly through in the spring and fall. They have a white wing patch and a yellowish belly, as well as a characteristic red forehead (males also have a red throat). They drill unique rows of holes in trees and feed on the sap.
So, as fall turns to winter, watch for these unique birds. Downy, hairy, and red-bellied woodpeckers will most likely show up at your winter feeders. And, you are more likely to see red-headed and pileated woodpeckers, as well as flickers, without the leaves on the trees. You may even see a stray yellow-bellied sapsucker or two. So, grab your binoculars and see what woodpeckers you can find this winter. Chances are, you’ll spot several fascinating species out there.

Lake Mills Graphic

204 N. Mill Street
Lake Mills, IA 50450

Office Number: (641) 592-4222
Fax Number: (641) 592-6397

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