Woodpeckers in Idaho

Idaho is home to fifteen different woodpecker species. Some require specific habitats, like coniferous forests, while others adapt to various environments, including urban areas. The most common woodpecker in Idaho is the black-and-white hairy woodpecker, while the least common is the white-headed woodpecker.

Idaho is one of the few states that hosts the American three-toed woodpecker as a year-round resident. Another remarkable species is the Lewis’s woodpecker, known for its unique ability to catch insects mid-air, a behavior uncommon among many other woodpeckers. It rarely drills into trees looking for insects.

Different Types of Woodpeckers Found in Idaho

Name	Identifying Features	Where They Are Found in Idaho
Downy Woodpecker	Small, white belly and white spots	Wooded areas, forests, and urban neighborhoods
Hairy Woodpecker	Larger than Downy, with a longer bill	Woodlands, forests, and suburban areas with trees
Northern Flicker	Brown with black spots, red crescent on the nape	Open areas, fields, and wood edges with suitable foraging
Lewis’s Woodpecker	Dark greenish-black with pink belly and gray collar	Open woodlands, often found near burned or dead trees
Williamson’s Sapsucker	Black back and wings, white undersides, red throat and crown	Coniferous and mixed forests, particularly during breeding
Red-naped Sapsucker	Black back, white undersides, red nape	Mixed woodlands, coniferous forests, especially during migration
American Three-toed Woodpecker	Black with white stripes and a yellow crown	Coniferous forests and woodlands, particularly in mountainous regions
Black-backed Woodpecker	Entirely black plumage with white on the wings and a yellow cap	Coniferous forests, especially in burned or dead tree areas
Acorn Woodpecker	Black with a white face and throat and a red cap	Oak woodlands, mixed forests, and open areas
Red-headed Woodpecker	Distinctive red head and white belly	Woodlands, forests, and open country areas
Red-bellied Woodpecker	Red cap on the head and pale belly with faint streaks	Wooded areas, parks, and suburban neighborhoods
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	Black and white with a yellowish belly	Deciduous and coniferous forests, especially during migration
Red-breasted Sapsucker	Red throat and breast, white belly	Coniferous forests and mixed woodlands, especially during breeding
Pileated Woodpecker	Large size, black with white stripes, and red crest	Mature forests, especially in larger wooded areas
White-headed Woodpecker	White head and underparts with black back and wings	Coniferous forests, particularly in mountainous regions