Woodpeckers in New Mexico

New Mexico’s diverse ecosystems and vast expanse of forest land have made it the home of various woodpeckers. As many as sixteen species of these hammering birds live in the state, making it a woodpecker hotspot.

Some of these birds, however, are not permanent residents of New Mexico. The migratory species include Lewis’s woodpecker and the red-naped sapsucker. The northern flicker may travel north to breed if the summer gets too hot. The acorn woodpecker may also migrate to Mexico if it can’t gather enough acorns to last the winter. Otherwise, they live here year-round.

Different Types of Woodpeckers Found in New Mexico

Name	Identifying Features	Where They Are Found in New Mexico
Ladder-backed Woodpecker	White ladder-like pattern on back, barred underparts	Deserts, arid scrublands, and riparian areas
Northern Flicker	Large size, spotted belly	Throughout the state, in various habitats
Acorn Woodpecker	Black-and-white face, distinctive clown-like facial pattern	Woodlands and oak-dominated habitats
Hairy Woodpecker	Large bill, black and white plumage with white spots on wings	Forested areas and woodlots
Downy Woodpecker	Small size, white spots on wings, short bill	Wooded areas, parks, and suburbs
Lewis’s Woodpecker	Dark plumage with pink belly, red face and collar	Open woodlands and burned forests
Gila Woodpecker	Grayish-brown plumage, black and white stripes on face	Arid regions, desert canyons, and saguaro cactus habitats
Red-naped Sapsucker	Red patch on nape, black and white facial markings	Montane forests and woodlands
Williamson’s Sapsucker	Black and white plumage with red throat and forehead	Coniferous forests at higher elevations
American Three-toed Woodpecker	Black and white plumage with three toes	Coniferous forests, especially in mountainous areas
Red-headed Woodpecker	Vibrant red head, black and white plumage	Wooded habitats and open woodlands
Arizona Woodpecker	Grayish-brown plumage, white bars on wings	Oak woodlands and rocky canyons
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	Yellow belly and undertail coverts, black and white facial markings	Riparian areas and mixed forests
Golden-fronted Woodpecker	Golden-yellow nape and forehead, barred wings and back	Woodlands, scrublands, and urban areas
Red-breasted Sapsucker	Red throat and breast, upperparts are black with white bars	Coniferous forests and mixed woodlands
Red-bellied Woodpecker	Red crown and nape, black and white barred back	Riparian forests and woodlots

The most common in the state is the ladder-backed woodpecker. Other common species are the northern flicker, acorn, hairy, and downy woodpeckers. The rare species inhabiting the Land of Enchantment are the golden-fronted woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker, and red-breasted sapsucker.