Woodpeckers in Tennessee

There are some regional and seasonal variations in the woodpecker distribution in Tennessee. The pileated woodpecker and northern flicker are more common in eastern Tennessee. On the other hand, the red-headed woodpecker is more common in the western part of the state, mostly in the winter. The migratory yellow-bellied sapsucker spends the winter here, staying from late September to May. It leaves TN for its northern breeding grounds to spend the summer.

Different Types of Woodpeckers Found in Tennessee

Name	Identifying Features	Where They Are Found in Tennessee
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	There is a 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
Red-headed Woodpecker	Entirely red head and neck	Sparse populations in open woodlands and along rivers
Red-cockaded Woodpecker	Black cap and nape, white cheeks, barred back and wings	Pine forests, particularly in the Cumberland Plateau region

All the above, except the last one, have quite stable populations in the state and can be seen in backyard feeders. The red-cockaded, an endangered species, is extirpated from Tennessee. It was last sighted in Cherokee National Forest in 1994.