Common Woodpeckers in North America

Downy Woodpecker Wolfgang Wander, GFDL
The U.S. has 22 species of woodpecker's, according to Sibley's. All have chisel-like bills and stiff tails and are generally found in wooded areas.
Three woodpeckers are found across North America: the Downy Woodpecker, the Hairy Woodpecker, and the larger, polka-dotted Northern Flicker. Several others can be found in most of the East, like the Pileated and Red-headed Woodpecker.
In the west, in fragmented and much smaller ranges, one can find other woodpeckers (e.g., Lewis's Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker).
The Three-toed and Black-backed Woodpecker are more likely to be seen in Canada than the U.S.


