Most of the woodpeckers in New Jersey are found throughout the year. However, there are some variations and exceptions in their occurrence. The red-headed woodpecker is more common during the breeding season (spring and summer), while yellow-bellied sapsuckers can be found throughout the state in winter. In the spring, they migrate north to breed.
Different Types of Woodpeckers Found in New Jersey
Name
Identifying Features
Where They Are Found in New Jersey
Downy Woodpecker
Small size, black and white plumage
Common throughout the state, found in woodlands and urban areas
Hairy Woodpecker
Larger than Downy, black and white plumage
Common in forests and wooded areas, especially in the north
Northern Flicker
Brown with black bars on back, white rump patch, spotted breast
Found in various habitats, including woodlands, open areas, and urban areas
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Red wash on belly, black and white plumage
Common in forests and woodlands throughout the state
Pileated Woodpecker
Large size, black with white stripes on face and neck
Mostly in large tracts of mature forests, less common in urban areas
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Black and white plumage, yellow wash on belly
Occurs in deciduous and mixed forests, particularly during migration
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red head and neck, black back and wings
Very rare, occasional sightings reported in open woodlands and forests
Black-backed Woodpecker
Black plumage with white stripes on the back
Rarely seen, typically found in coniferous forests in the northern part of the state
American Three-toed Woodpecker
Black and white plumage, three-toed feet
Rare and localized, found in coniferous forests, especially in the northern part of the state
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Black and white plumage with bold white cheek patches
Extirpated from New Jersey, it formerly lived in pine forests in the southern part of the state
The red-cockaded woodpecker has been extirpated from the state mainly due to destruction of its longleaf pine habitat. It is an endangered species (since October 1970), with only around 6,000 family units (groups) left in its range in the US. Extensive conservation efforts have helped increase their overall population, but they are still missing from New Jersey. The red-headed woodpecker is threatened in the Garden State, with its numbers declining since the 19th century.
