Woodpeckers in Oklahoma

With its diverse landscapes and forest land spanning over 12.5 million acres, Oklahoma presents the ideal living conditions for the fifteen woodpecker species it hosts. The most common is the downy, which also happens to be the smallest (6.1 inches). It is common in backyard feeders as it has adapted well to human development. On the other hand, the pileated woodpecker is the largest residing in the state. It has a length of 17.5 inches. Though rare in central Oklahoma, it is relatively common in the forested parts of the Ouachita and Ozark Mountains.

Different Types of Woodpeckers Found in Oklahoma

Name	Identifying Features	Where They Are Found in Oklahoma
Downy Woodpecker	Small size, black and white plumage, red spot on the back of the head	Throughout the state
Hairy Woodpecker	Larger than Downy, similar plumage	Wooded areas, forests, and suburban neighborhoods
Northern Flicker	Brown plumage with black spots, white rump	Open areas, woodlands, and urban parks
Pileated Woodpecker	Large size, striking red crest, black and white plumage	Forested areas and wooded parks throughout the state
Red-bellied Woodpecker	Red patch on the back of the head, black and white barred plumage	Woodlands, forests, and suburban areas
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	Yellow belly and white stripes on wings	Forested areas, orchards, and wooded suburban neighborhoods
Ladder-backed Woodpecker	Black and white barred back, ladder-like pattern	Arid regions, scrublands, and desert edges
Red-headed Woodpecker	Entirely red head and neck	Sparse populations in open woodlands and along rivers
Golden-fronted Woodpecker	Yellow and red on the head with barred back and wings	Found in southwestern parts of the state
Red-naped Sapsucker	Red patch on nape, white face and throat	Wooded areas and forests, particularly in the eastern region
Lewis’s Woodpecker	Dark greenish-black plumage, pink belly	Open woodlands, burned areas, and river valleys
Williamson’s Sapsucker	Red throat, black back with white spots	Coniferous forests and wooded areas, primarily in the west
Red-cockaded Woodpecker	Black cap and nape, white cheek patches	Limited to certain pine forests in the southeastern part of the state
Acorn Woodpecker	Black and white plumage, distinctive red cap and throat	Oak woodlands and forests in limited parts of the state
Ivory-billed Woodpecker	Large size, black and white plumage, ivory-colored bill	Historically in bottomland forests, now considered extinct

Though the red-headed woodpecker is not endangered in the state, it is considered a watch species. It is because it has undergone a 70% population decline from 1966 to 2014.