Woodpeckers in Mississippi

With six national forests occupying over 1.2 million acres, Mississippi is a haven for woodpeckers. It’s no wonder that nine species of these birds, with their distinctive, loud drumming sounds, call it their home.

The red-bellied and red-headed woodpeckers are more common in the southern part of the state. The red-bellied woodpecker is the most common species in Mississippi throughout the year, while the red-headed woodpecker is more prevalent in the summer. The yellow-bellied spasucker frequents the Magnolia State during the winter months.

Different Types of Woodpeckers Found in Mississippi

Name	Identifying Features	Where They Are Found in Mississippi
Red-bellied Woodpecker	Red on the head and back with a white belly	Common in woodlands and forests
Red-headed Woodpecker	Bright red head and white belly	Throughout the state
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	Black and white with a red throat and crown	Found in wooded areas
Downy Woodpecker	Black and white with a small bill	Throughout the state
Hairy Woodpecker	Similar to the Downy Woodpecker but larger	Common in woodlands and forests
Northern Flicker	Brown with black spots on the belly	Varied habitats across the state
Pileated Woodpecker	Large with a black body, white stripes, and a red crest	In forested areas. It is less common in urban areas
Red-cockaded Woodpecker	Black cap and white cheeks with barred black and white wings	Limited to pine forests
Ivory-billed Woodpecker	Extremely rare, primarily black and white	It is thought to be extinct, with no recent sightings

The red-cockaded woodpecker is an endangered species on this list, as its population has sharply declined since the 1960s. It requires mature pine woods where most of the understory is cleared out by frequent wildfires. Such specific habitats are scarce these days. Conservation efforts are underway, and as of 2020, there were 579 active clusters of the species in four ranger districts. You can spot them in the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, the De Soto, Homochitto, and Bienville National Forests.