Woodpeckers in Florida

Florida’s diverse habitats, ecosystems, and abundant resources of nuts, fruits, insects, and other invertebrates attract a wide array of woodpeckers. The most common is the medium-sized (9-10.5 inches) red-bellied woodpecker, more likely to be found in the southern part of the state. The downy woodpecker, a tiny black-and-white bird, is also common. It weighs a meager 0.8 oz and has a length of only 6.1 inches, making it the smallest in the state. The males have a red crown on the head, something absent in the females.

The largest is the pileated woodpecker, with a length of 17.5 inches. The red-headed woodpecker is also a big species that frequents central Florida.

Different Types of Woodpeckers Found in Florida

Name	Identifying Features	Where They Are Found in Florida
Red-bellied Woodpecker	Red cap on the head and pale belly with faint streaks	Wooded areas, parks, and suburban neighborhoods
Downy Woodpecker	Small, white belly, and white spots	Wooded habitats, gardens, and backyard feeders
Hairy Woodpecker	Larger than Downy, with a longer bill	Woodlands, forests, and suburban areas with trees
Red-headed Woodpecker	Bright red head and white belly	Woodlands, forests, and open country areas
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	Black and white with yellowish belly	Deciduous and coniferous forests, especially during migration
Red-cockaded Woodpecker	Small woodpecker with black cap and white cheek patches	Pine forests, particularly longleaf pine habitats
Northern Flicker	Brown with black spots, red crescent on nape	Open areas, fields, and wood edges with suitable foraging
Pileated Woodpecker	Large size, black with white stripes, and red crest	Mature forests, especially in larger wooded areas
Acorn Woodpecker	Black cap and white face, red on top of the head	Oak woodlands and oak-filled parks
Golden-fronted Woodpecker	Gold patches on the face and nape	It is found in southwestern Florida, near the Mexican border
Williamson’s Sapsucker	Black and white, male has red throat	Coniferous forests during migration, but sightings are rare
Black-backed Woodpecker	Black back and white belly, rare in Florida	Coniferous forests in the northern parts, but sightings are rare
Golden-olive Woodpecker	Olive-green upperparts, yellow face, and spotted underparts	Forests in South Florida, including the Everglades
Red-naped Sapsucker	Black and white with red on the nape	Deciduous and coniferous forests during migration
Ivory-billed Woodpecker	Giant woodpecker, black and white with a prominent white crest	Believed to be extinct or extremely rare if still extant

The red-cockaded woodpecker is federally endangered in Florida and enjoys state and federal protection. Nevertheless, following dedicated conservation efforts, that state now hosts around 1,100 active family groups of this species. It is almost 25% of the nation’s red-cockaded woodpecker population and is mostly concentrated in north Florida.

FAQs

Q. Are woodpeckers protected in Florida?

Ans. Woodpeckers can cause damage to your home that may be expensive to repair. Plus, their constant drumming can disrupt daily activities and sleep patterns. If that is the case, you can adopt control measures without killing them, as they are federally protected in the state. They are primarily a nuisance in southwest Florida as it has as many as eight native species – red-bellied, downy, hairy, red-headed, red-cockaded, pileated woodpeckers, yellow-bellied sapsucker, and northern flicker.