Woodpeckers in Illinois

The abundance of wetlands, plains, farmlands, woodlands, and forests makes Illinois a suitable place for woodpeckers to thrive. No wonder the state is home to as many as twelve species of woodpeckers. Some are migratory, including northern flickers, red-headed woodpeckers, and yellow-bellied sapsuckers, while others are year-round residents.

The largest woodpecker in the state, the pileated woodpecker (17.5 inches), is more common in southern Illinois and rare in the northern part of the state. Central Illinois, on the other hand, is home to the red-bellied woodpecker. The black and white downy woodpecker is the smallest and most common, measuring around 6.1 inches.

Different Types of Woodpeckers Found in Illinois

Woodpecker Name	Identifying Features	Where They Are Found in Illinois
Downy Woodpecker	Small size, black wings with white spots	Throughout the state
Hairy Woodpecker	Similar to Downy but larger	Common in wooded areas
Red-bellied Woodpecker	Red cap on the head	Woodlands and suburbs
Northern Flicker	Brownish body with black markings	Open areas and fields
Pileated Woodpecker	Large, striking red crest and black body	Bottomland forests and woodlots
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	Yellow belly and red throat	Wooded areas with sap-rich trees
Red-headed Woodpecker	Bright red head and black wings	Open woodlands and prairies
Black-backed Woodpecker	Black back and white undersides	Northern forests and woodlands
Red-naped Sapsucker	Red nape and throat patch, white bars on wings	Woodlands, aspen groves
Williamson’s Sapsucker	White wing patches, red throat and crown	Rare, coniferous forests
Red-cockaded Woodpecker	Small with a black cap and white cheek patches	Rare, found in southern pine forests
Lewis’s Woodpecker	Pinkish-red belly, dark face, and gray collar	Rare, found in western regions