Woodpeckers in Indiana

Indiana’s diverse range of habitats, including woodlands, forests, and even urban areas, attract as many as eight woodpecker species. It is significant, considering 22 woodpecker species live in North America. Only one is a migratory species, while the rest are year-round residents. The yellow-bellied sapsucker spends winters in Southern Indiana and then migrates through the northern part of the state. The smallest and most common is the black-and-white downy woodpecker, which has adapted equally well to wilderness and residential areas with trees.

Different Types of Woodpeckers Found in Indiana

Name	Identifying Features	Where They Are Found in Indiana
Red-bellied Woodpecker	Red cap on the head	Common throughout the state
Downy Woodpecker	Small size, black wings with white spots	Common in woodlands and parks
Hairy Woodpecker	Similar to Downy but larger	Often found in wooded areas
Northern Flicker	Brownish body with black markings	Open areas, fields, and yards
Pileated Woodpecker	Large, striking red crest and black body	In forested regions and woodlands
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	Yellow belly and red throat	Wooded areas, especially near sap-rich trees
Red-headed Woodpecker	Bright red head and black wings	Woodlands, open areas, and suburbs
Black-backed Woodpecker	Black back and white undersides	Rare and mainly in northern forests

The red-headed woodpecker was common in Central Indiana as late as the 1970s, but their population has declined by 70% in the last 50 years! So, now, it is uncommon and local to regional pockets in the state. In contrast, the medium-sized northern flicker, also a bird of central Indiana, is relatively more common.

FAQs

Q. Are woodpeckers protected in Indiana?

Ans. Yes, woodpeckers enjoy federal protection in Indiana, and removing them from their nesting sites is illegal. So, if you hear their drumming at close quarters and fear damage to your home, you can immediately adopt control measures that do not harm the birds.