Woodpeckers in Washington

Washington State’s three most common woodpeckers are the northern flicker, pileated woodpecker, and American three-toed woodpecker. Unlike most other US states, the northern flicker is the most common, not the downy. The exceptions don’t end here. The downy woodpeckers living here show regional variations in their appearance. Those living in the western part, with a black and dingy tan plumage, are darker than their eastern counterparts that have a combination of black and white on their bodies.

The Cascades in the northwest is where you can find the Williamson’s Sapsucker- an uncommon species. The Lewis’s woodpecker breeds in eastern WA, being common in the transition zone between the shrub-steppe and ponderosa pine habitats.

Different Types of Woodpeckers Found in Washington

Name	Identifying Features	Where They Are Found in Washington
Northern Flicker	Medium-sized, brown plumage with black bars, white rump patch	Found in various habitats
Pileated Woodpecker	Large size, red crest, black body with white stripes	Mostly in forested areas
American Three-toed Woodpecker	Black and white plumage, three-toed feet	Found in coniferous forests
Downy Woodpecker	Small size, black and white plumage, distinctive white spots on wings. The males have a red nape patch, absent in females	Throughout the state, especially the western part
Hairy Woodpecker	Slightly larger than Downy, longer bill, larger head	Common in forests and woodlands
Lewis’s Woodpecker	Dark greenish-black plumage, pinkish belly and underwings	Typically, in open woodlands
Black-backed Woodpecker	Black back, white underparts, white patches on wings	Often seen in burned forests
Red-naped Sapsucker	Black and white plumage, red nape and throat	Common in mountain forests
Red-breasted Sapsucker	Black and white plumage, red throat and breast	Often found in mixed forests
Williamson’s Sapsucker	Black and white plumage, red throat and crown	Typically, in coniferous forests
White-headed Woodpecker	Black and white plumage, white head and neck	Found in pine forests
Acorn Woodpecker	Bold black and white plumage, distinctive red cap	Rare, occurs in oak woodlands
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	Black and white plumage, yellow wash on belly and throat	Found in deciduous forests

The yellow-bellied sapsucker is the only rare or accidental species inhabiting Washington. All the others in the above list are regularly occurring.

FAQs

Q. Are woodpeckers protected in Washington State?

Ans. Washington protects all its woodpeckers by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. So, it is illegal to kill or capture them without a legal permit. If they damage your home, you can lure them away by harmless preventive measures.