Woodpeckers in Montana

Known for its sprawling prairies, grasslands, and mountains, Montana is home to around 250 bird species. Of them, the woodpeckers are one of the most popular due to their distinctive coloration, rhythmic drumming sounds, and affinity for staying close to people. Around fourteen species of these colorful birds call the Treasure State home, of which ten are common.

Most of the woodpeckers, like the black-backed and three-toed woodpeckers, are year-round residents. However, the red-headed woodpecker, Lewis’s woodpecker, Williamson’s sapsucker, and red-naped sapsucker can be found in the state only during their breeding seasons.

Different Types of Woodpeckers Found in Montana

Name	Identifying Features	Where They Are Found in Montana
Downy Woodpecker	Small size, white underside, black wings with white spots	Found throughout Montana’s forests and woodlands
Hairy Woodpecker	Similar to Downy but larger, longer bill	Common in Montana’s forests and suburban areas with mature trees
Northern Flicker	Pale brown with black bars on wings, black crescent on chest	Commonly seen in open woodlands, grasslands, and urban areas
Red-naped Sapsucker	Black crown, white face, red throat and nape	Found in forests, woodlands, and occasionally urban areas
Lewis’s Woodpecker	Dark greenish-black overall, pink belly, gray collar	Occasionally seen in open forests and woodlands, mainly in the western part of the state
Black-backed Woodpecker	Mostly black with a black back	In dense coniferous forests, particularly in northern and interior Montana
Williamson’s Sapsucker	Black back, white wing patches, red throat on males	Found in coniferous forests, particularly in the western and southern parts of Montana
Red-headed Woodpecker	Red head and neck, white belly, black wings	Found in open woodlands, savannas, and forest edges in parts of Montana
Pileated Woodpecker	Large, mostly black with a red crest	Occasional sightings in mature forests, particularly in western Montana
American Three-toed Woodpecker	Black with white barring and three toes	Primarily in coniferous forests in northern and western Montana
White-headed Woodpecker	White head and neck, black wings and back	Found in high-elevation coniferous forests in the northern Rocky Mountains
Red-breasted Sapsucker	Red head and throat, white face, black wings with white patches	In mixed forests and woodlands, especially in the western part of the state
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	Black and white plumage with a yellowish belly and distinctive white wing patches	Mostly found in deciduous and mixed forests, especially during migration
Red-bellied Woodpecker	Red crown and nape, white face, black and white wings	Occasional sightings in woodlands and forests in central and eastern Montana

The yellow-bellied sapsucker, red-breasted sapsucker, red-bellied, and white-headed woodpeckers are the accidental species of Montana.

Many woodpeckers can be seen foraging on partially dead trees, looking for wood-boring insects. So you can do your bit towards conserving their habitats by keeping the dead trees in your yard intact without felling them.