Woodpeckers in Kentucky

Kentucky, a state rich in forests, is home to seven common species of woodpeckers. They range from the downy, the smallest (6.1 in), to the pileated (17.5 in), the biggest. While the others occur in the state year-round, the yellow-bellied sapsucker only appears during the non-breeding season (August-March).

Different Types of Woodpeckers Found in Kentucky

Name	Identifying Features	Where They Are Found in Kentucky
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	Common in wooded areas
Northern Flicker	Brownish body with black markings	Open areas, fields, and yards
Pileated Woodpecker	Large, striking red crest and black body	Forested regions and woodlands
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	Yellow belly and red throat	Wooded areas with sap-rich trees
Red-headed Woodpecker	Bright red head and black wings	Woodlands, open areas, and suburbs
Red-cockaded Woodpecker	Small with a black cap and white cheek patches	Rare, found in southern pine forests
Ivory-billed Woodpecker	Extinct, formerly large and ivory-colored (historic)	Historically, in hardwood forests

The red-cockaded woodpecker was extirpated from the state in the early 2000s, while the population of the red-headed woodpeckers is on the decline. Currently, they can only be seen in western and central Kentucky. The Cumberland Plateau in the south has a few of them.