Woodpeckers in Wisconsin

With its numerous water bodies spanning over 32,900 miles, Wisconsin is a top draw for woodpeckers due to the abundant insect food sources that its aquatic environment attracts. So, it is no surprise that as many as ten types of woodpeckers are native to the state. With a length of 17.5 inches, the pileated is the largest woodpecker in WI. On the other hand, the smallest is the downy, measuring only 6.1 inches in length.

Apart from size variations, there are regional and seasonal variations in the population of these birds. The yellow-bellied sapsucker is a migratory species that lives in central and northern Wisconsin. This, along with the red-headed woodpecker, are primarily summer residents of WI.

Different Types of Woodpeckers Found in Wisconsin

Name	Identifying Features	Where They Are Found in Wisconsin
Downy Woodpecker	Small size, white back with black spots	Common throughout forests, woodlands, and urban areas
Hairy Woodpecker	Larger size, all-black back, white underside	Wooded areas, forests, and parks
Northern Flicker	Brown body with black bars, white rump	Open woodlands, edges, and suburban areas
Pileated Woodpecker	Large size, red crest, black body with white stripes	Large tracts of mature forests and woodlands
Red-bellied Woodpecker	Red cap on head, black and white barred back	Commonly found in woodlands and suburban areas
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	Yellowish belly, black and white striped head	Woodlands with deciduous trees, particularly maples
Red-headed Woodpecker	Red head, black and white body	Open woodlands, savannas, and agricultural areas
Black-backed Woodpecker	Black back, white spots on wings	Coniferous forests, particularly during bark beetle outbreaks
American Three-toed Woodpecker	Black back with white stripes, three toes	Mixed coniferous-deciduous forests, especially in northern WI
Lewis’s Woodpecker	Pink belly, gray collar, red face, and breast	Oak woodlands and savannas, primarily in western WI

The accidental species living here are the Lewis’s, American three-toed, and black-backed woodpeckers. Others are regularly occurring.

FAQs

Q. Are woodpeckers protected in Wisconsin?

Ans. All the woodpeckers are protected in Wisconsin by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which has existed since 1918. So, harming or shooting them is illegal. Permits for killing damage-causing woodpeckers need to be obtained from the United States Fishing and Wildlife Service. But one should try preventive measures first to lure them out of his property.