Woodpeckers in Colorado

Filled with a wide array of natural elements, Colorado attracts abundant wildlife. The birds exemplify the diversity of its fauna, with as many as 513 species found here. Thanks to its vast State Parks and ample forests, the place is an abode for woodpeckers – 13 species, to be precise.

Despite being more common in Canada, Colorado is one of the few states where the American three-toed woodpecker can be found. Another notable species, the red-headed woodpecker, can only be seen in the eastern half of the state during the spring and summer. They migrate in the winter. Williamson’s sapsucker is also a migratory species that only visits during the breeding season (from late March to September) and leaves for the winter.

Different Types of Woodpeckers Found in Colorado

Name	Identifying Features	Where They Are Found in Colorado
Downy Woodpecker	Small size, white belly, and white spots	Common in wooded areas and forests statewide
Northern Flicker	Brown with black spots, red patch on nape	Common in open areas, parks, and woodlands statewide
Hairy Woodpecker	Similar to Downy but larger with a longer bill	Found in wooded areas and forests across Colorado
Williamson’s Sapsucker	Black crown, white face, and yellow belly	Occurs in coniferous forests and mountainous regions
Red-breasted Sapsucker	Red throat and crown, white belly, and barred back	Found in mountainous areas and coniferous forests
Ladder-backed Woodpecker	Ladder-like pattern on back, black crown, and white face	Found in arid regions and canyons in the state
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	Black and white striped head, yellow belly	Occasional migrant, found in wooded areas
Red-naped Sapsucker	Similar to Yellow-bellied but with red on nape	Occasional in mountainous and forested regions
American Three-toed Woodpecker	Black and white with three toes	Occasional sightings in coniferous forests
Red-headed Woodpecker	Distinctive red head and white belly	Rare in Colorado, may be found in wooded areas
Lewis’s Woodpecker	Pinkish-red belly, gray collar, dark face	Sporadic, found in open woodlands and mountainous regions
Acorn Woodpecker	Black, white, and red head with distinctive face pattern.	Found in foothills and woodlands around the Rockies at lower elevations
Red-bellied Woodpecker	Red crown and nape, pale belly, and zebra-striped back	Rare in Colorado, may be found across the Rocky Mountains in the eastern and northeastern parts of the state

The acorn woodpecker, a rare species here, has been sighted only around a dozen times. Similarly, Colorado doesn’t fall within the natural range of the red-bellied woodpecker. Only a small population travels to the state from Kansas occasionally.

FAQs

Q. Are woodpeckers protected in Colorado?

Ans. Woodpeckers are migratory nongame birds and, hence, protected in Colorado by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. So, people worried about the damage caused by the noisy birds to their homes can adopt preventive measures for their removal without harming them.