North Dakota hosts eight species of woodpeckers, from the familiar downy and hairy woodpeckers found in towns and shelterbelts to the striking red-headed woodpecker, the increasingly encountered red-bellied, and the impressive pileated woodpecker of the state’s eastern forests. Northern flickers are widespread in parks and open groves, yellow-bellied sapsuckers appear as both local breeders and common migrants, and the rare black-backed woodpecker persists only in the conifer pockets of the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills.
This guide introduces all of the woodpecker species regularly found in North Dakota, with an emphasis on identification, state-focused distribution, and the habitats and seasons in which each is most reliably observed.
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
- Identification: Small black-and-white woodpecker with a broad white back stripe, checkered wings, and a small red nape patch on males; bill short and stubby.
- Where found: Year-round throughout North Dakota wherever trees or shelterbelts occur, from riparian corridors and wooded draws to towns, parks, and rural homesteads.
- How to spot: Listen for the sharp “pik” call or descending whinny; look for a tiny black-and-white bird hitching on trunks or thin branches and frequenting suet feeders.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); in North Dakota, populations appear stable, aided by shelterbelts, riparian woodlands, and backyard feeding.
The downy woodpecker is one of the most familiar and widespread woodpeckers in North Dakota, occurring in every region where even modest tree cover exists. At 14 to 17 centimeters (5.5 to 6.7 inches) in length, it is the state’s smallest woodpecker and a regular presence in river groves, shelterbelts, wooded parks, and residential neighborhoods. Its crisp black-and-white plumage – bright white back stripe, checkered wings, and bold facial lines, stands out in any setting, and males show a small red patch on the nape. This compact, adaptable species is equally at home in natural riparian forests and the scattered treelines typical of prairie landscapes.
Downy woodpeckers move with quick hops up trunks and along slender branches, often using their stiff tail feathers for support. They readily forage on twigs and stems too thin for larger woodpeckers, a habit that helps set them apart. Their calls include a sharp, high “pik” and a descending whinny commonly heard in wooded yards and parks. During winter, they often join mixed flocks with chickadees and nuthatches and readily visit feeders for suet, seeds, and occasionally nectar. Their flight is undulating, alternating bursts of rapid wingbeats with short glides.
In North Dakota, downy woodpeckers occupy nearly all wooded habitats, though their distribution closely mirrors the availability of trees. They are most frequent along the Missouri and Red River valleys, in riparian corridors, shelterbelts, wooded farmsteads, and urban parks. They remain year-round residents, with little seasonal movement beyond local shifts toward sheltered, food-rich areas in winter. Nesting occurs in dead limbs, snags, and older fence posts, typically at low to mid-trunk height, and pairs can remain together across seasons.
Populations in the state appear stable, supported by the widespread presence of shelterbelts, expanding suburban green spaces, and consistent winter feeding. Local declines may occur where dead wood is removed from parks or farmyards, reducing available nest sites, but overall the species remains common and well adapted to the patchy tree cover of North Dakota’s prairie environment. Its presence throughout the year makes it a reliable and lively representative of the state’s wooded habitats.
Hairy Woodpecker
Leuconotopicus villosus
- Identification: Medium-sized black-and-white woodpecker with a broad white back stripe, clean white underparts, and a long, robust bill nearly as long as the head; males show a red nape patch.
- Where found: Year-round throughout North Dakota in mature woodlands, riparian forests, shelterbelts, and larger wooded parks and farmsteads.
- How to spot: Search trunks and main branches of large trees for a sharply patterned black-and-white bird with a square head and long bill; listen for a loud “peek” call or steady drumming.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); in North Dakota, populations appear stable, though sensitive to loss of mature trees and deadwood needed for nesting.
The hairy woodpecker is one of North Dakota’s most reliable year-round woodpeckers, slightly larger and more heavy-billed than the far more common downy woodpecker. Measuring 18 to 26 centimeters (7.1 to 10.2 inches) long, it has a sturdy, long-billed profile and a crisp black-and-white pattern that gives it a bold, clean appearance on tree trunks. Males show a small red patch on the nape, while females lack red. The species’ erect stance, strong bill, and powerful drumming make it a classic representative of the North American woodpecker form.
In the field, hairy woodpeckers move with deliberate hops up trunks and large limbs, rarely venturing onto the thin branches frequented by downies. They brace with their stiff tail feathers and hammer vigorously on bark, logs, and dead limbs, often revealing their presence by the sharper, more forceful sound of their blows. Their typical call is a loud, explosive “peek,” supplemented by harsher notes near the nest and a descending whinny lower-pitched than that of the downy. They feed primarily on wood-boring insects and larvae but also take fruit, seeds, and suet when available in winter.
Across North Dakota, hairy woodpeckers occur wherever substantial tree cover exists, with highest concentrations along the Missouri and Red River valleys, in mature cottonwood groves, wooded coulees, and older shelterbelts. They also use larger urban parks and well-treed residential areas but are generally less common in small, isolated woodlots than the downy. Pairs remain on territory throughout the year, and nesting typically occurs in dead trunks or large limbs where both adults share excavation and incubation duties.
Statewide numbers appear stable, supported by the availability of mature riparian corridors and aging shelterbelts. Local pressures can arise where older trees are removed, especially in parks and farmsteads where deadwood is often cleared for safety or aesthetic reasons. Even so, the species remains a dependable and widespread resident in North Dakota’s more developed or naturally wooded landscapes, a strong-billed companion to the smaller downy throughout the state’s patchwork of tree cover.
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
- Identification: Large brownish woodpecker with a barred back, spotted underparts, black breast crescent, and bright yellow flight feather shafts; white rump flashes conspicuously in flight.
- Where found: Widespread across North Dakota, breeding statewide and remaining year-round mainly in the south, favoring open woodlands, forest edges, prairies with scattered trees, and towns.
- How to spot: Look for a woodpecker feeding on the ground or rising in a bounding flight that reveals bright underwings and a flashing white rump; listen for loud “wick-wick-wick” calls or sharp “peah” notes.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); in North Dakota, populations remain stable overall, though dependent on the availability of open foraging areas and dead trees for nesting.
The northern flicker is one of North Dakota’s most distinctive and frequently encountered woodpeckers, particularly visible in open landscapes and towns across the state. Measuring 28 to 31 centimeters (11.0 to 12.2 inches) long, it is a sleek, brownish woodpecker easily recognized by its barred back, spotted underparts, and bold black crescent across the chest. Most birds in the state belong to the yellow-shafted form, showing bright yellow underwings and a black mustache on males, though hybrids with red-shafted birds do appear occasionally, especially in the western part of the state. A bright white rump is conspicuous whenever the bird takes flight.
Flickers are unusual among woodpeckers in that they spend much of their foraging time on the ground. They walk or hop deliberately as they probe soil and anthills for ants and beetles using a long, barbed tongue specialized for extracting prey. Their flight is strong and undulating, with alternating bursts of wingbeats and short glides that highlight the bright underwing color. The species is highly vocal, giving loud, ringing “wick-wick-wick” calls across open country and sharp “peah” notes in flight. Drumming is steady and resonant, used in territorial and courtship displays during spring.
In North Dakota, northern flickers breed statewide in any habitat that combines open ground with scattered trees, including riparian woodlands, shelterbelts, prairie draws, farmsteads, and urban parks. They are most numerous in the southern half of the state, where many individuals remain through winter, frequenting suet feeders and sheltered groves. Birds in the northern prairies and more exposed uplands tend to migrate south in fall, though the extent of this movement varies by year. Nesting typically occurs in dead trees, utility poles, or fence posts, with both adults sharing in excavation and incubation.
Northern flicker numbers in North Dakota appear broadly stable, supported by the state’s mix of open grasslands, agricultural lands, and wooded corridors. Local declines can occur where old trees or snags are removed, reducing available nest cavities, or where competition with European starlings intensifies. Even so, the species remains a common and conspicuous part of the state’s avifauna, its flashing white rump and bright underwings standing out over fields, pastures, and wooded draws wherever ants and beetles are abundant.
Red-Headed Woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
- Identification: Medium-sized woodpecker with a fully crimson head, black back, large white wing patches, and clean white underparts; sexes identical.
- Where found: Uncommon but regular breeder in eastern North Dakota, especially along river corridors, mature deciduous groves, shelterbelts, and large open woodlots.
- How to spot: Look for bold black-and-white wings flashing in flight or listen for harsh “weah” calls; often seen perched on snags or fence posts and fly-catching over open areas.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); in North Dakota, a species of high conservation concern showing long-term declines tied to loss of riparian woods and standing dead trees.
The red-headed woodpecker is one of the most striking birds in North Dakota, an unmistakable woodpecker with its vivid crimson head and bold black-and-white body. Measuring 19 to 24 centimeters (7.5 to 9.4 inches) in length, it is a sturdy, broad-winged species that stands out wherever it occurs. In the state, it is an uncommon but regular summer breeder, concentrated mainly in the eastern counties and river valleys where mature deciduous trees still form open, park-like stands. Adults are unmistakable, while juveniles begin gray-brown on the head and breast before gradually acquiring their characteristic red. Both sexes look identical.
This species is unusually versatile in its movements and foraging. Red-headed woodpeckers often sally into the air to catch flying insects, a behavior more reminiscent of flycatchers than woodpeckers. They also store food by wedging acorns and other nuts into crevices, sometimes covering them with bark chips. Calls include harsh “weah” or rolling “churr” notes, frequently heard when birds defend territories or communicate within pairs. Their flight is direct and steadier than that of many other woodpeckers, with alternating wingbeats and glides that highlight the bold white wing patches.
In North Dakota, red-headed woodpeckers arrive by mid-April and remain through October, with peak breeding from early June to early August. They inhabit open deciduous woods, especially mature cottonwood bottoms along rivers, older shelterbelts, and wooded areas of towns. The species is most often encountered along the upper Little Missouri River, the lower Missouri River Valley, and the southern Red River Valley, though it can appear anywhere suitable habitat persists. Nesting typically occurs in dead trees or utility poles, often at moderate height, and birds require a steady supply of standing dead wood for cavity excavation.
Despite their distinctive appearance, red-headed woodpeckers have declined significantly in North Dakota and across much of their range. They are considered a species of high conservation concern at both national and regional levels, and long-term monitoring programs consistently classify them as a bird in significant decline across much of their range. Loss and degradation of riparian forests, limited regeneration of mature cottonwoods, and removal of dead trees are major limiting factors in the state. Additional pressures include collisions with vehicles and communication towers, as well as competition with other cavity-nesting birds. Even so, where open groves and snags remain intact, the species persists as one of North Dakota’s most visually arresting summer woodpeckers.
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
- Identification: Very large black woodpecker with bold white neck stripes and a flaming-red crest; males have a red mustache stripe, females a dark one; shows broad white underwings and a flashing white patch in flight.
- Where found: Uncommon but steadily increasing resident in eastern and northeastern North Dakota, mainly in mature riparian forests and larger woodlands.
- How to spot: Look for a crow-sized black woodpecker pounding deep rectangular holes into logs or stumps; listen for loud “kuk-kuk-kuk” calls or a deep, resonant drumming that slows near the end.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); in North Dakota, numbers are rising as forested corridors expand and older stands with dead wood become more available.
The pileated woodpecker is the largest woodpecker found in North Dakota and among the state’s most impressive forest birds. Measuring 40 to 49 centimeters (15.7 to 19.3 inches) long, it rivals the size of a crow and is instantly recognizable by its tall red crest, bold white neck stripes, and broad black wings that flash white beneath. Males show a bright red malar stripe and red extending across the forehead, while females have a darker forehead and no red mustache, a distinction visible at close range. Historically rare in North Dakota, it is now an uncommon but steadily expanding resident, particularly in the forested east and northeast where mature woodlands persist.
A master excavator, the pileated woodpecker delivers deep, rhythmic blows that leave large rectangular holes in rotten logs and stumps – signatures often found long before the bird itself appears. Its diet is dominated by carpenter ants and wood-boring beetle larvae, though it also takes fruits and nuts when available. Birds climb with strong, deliberate movements and occasionally forage on fallen logs. Their loud “kuk-kuk-kuk” or “jungle laughter” calls carry far through the trees, and their drumming is deep and resonant, slowing toward the end of each burst.
In North Dakota, this species has undergone a notable range expansion since the early 20th century. Once absent from explorers’ accounts and unknown west of the Red River Valley, it became established in the Agassiz Lake Plain during the mid-1900s and has since advanced into several additional regions. Today, pileated woodpeckers are found in the Turtle Mountains, Devils Lake area, and along the Sheyenne River, including the Sheyenne National Grassland, with more recent records extending westward to the James River and Stutsman County. They occupy mature deciduous and mixed riparian forests, larger shelterbelts, and wooded ravines where substantial dead wood supports nesting and feeding.
The species’ outlook in North Dakota is generally positive. As forest patches recover and expand along rivers and in protected areas, the pileated woodpecker continues to increase and push its range westward. Local limitations include the scarcity of large dead trees required for nesting and the fragmentation of older woodlands in agricultural areas. Nonetheless, its steady growth in the state reflects broader regional trends across eastern North America, where forest regeneration has allowed this iconic species to reclaim portions of its former range. Wherever suitable habitat persists, the pileated woodpecker stands as a symbol of North Dakota’s maturing woodland corridors.
Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius
- Identification: Small to medium woodpecker with a bold black-and-white pattern, red crown, red throat in males, pale yellowish underparts, and a large white wing patch.
- Where found: Breeds locally in north-central and northeastern North Dakota and occurs statewide as a fairly common migrant in spring and fall.
- How to spot: Look for neat horizontal rows of sap wells on birch or aspen trunks, or listen for its irregular, stuttering drum and nasal “mew” calls.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); in North Dakota, long-term monitoring suggests a moderate population increase, with the species remaining locally regular in breeding areas.
The yellow-bellied sapsucker is North Dakota’s only fully migratory woodpecker, appearing predictably each spring as birds return to their northern breeding grounds. Measuring 18 to 22 centimeters (7.1 to 8.7 inches) long, it is a slender, straight-billed species with a crisp black-and-white pattern and a distinctive red crown. Males show a red throat, while females display a white one, and both sexes share the pale yellow wash on the underparts that gives the species its name. The bold white wing patch and clean head striping make the bird especially conspicuous during close views in wooded habitats.
Sapsuckers spend much of their time clinging motionlessly to trunks while tending the characteristic grids of sap wells that fuel much of their diet. When active, they hitch up trunks, perch quietly among crown branches, or occasionally sally out for insects. Their flight is bounding and undulating, and their drumming is an easily recognized irregular, stuttering pattern rather than a steady roll. Nasal “mew” calls and soft “week-week” notes often reveal their presence before they are seen. Along with sap, they consume insects, cambium, buds, and fruit, and their sap wells benefit other species such as hummingbirds and bats.
In North Dakota, the yellow-bellied sapsucker is an uncommon but regular breeder in the northeast and north-central portions of the state, particularly in young aspen, birch, and mixed deciduous woods near water. Breeding records are concentrated in the Turtle Mountains, Pembina Hills, and other forested tracts of the Agassiz Lake Plain. During migration, however, the species becomes fairly common statewide, appearing in shelterbelts, riparian corridors, wooded draws, and urban parks across the prairies. Birds arrive in spring from mid-April into May and depart by September or early October, with most individuals wintering far to the south.
The species has shown a gradual long-term increase in North Dakota, supported by the persistence of young deciduous forests and suitable aspen–birch stands in the northeast. Even with this upward trend, its breeding distribution remains limited to localized forest tracts in the Turtle Mountains, Pembina Hills, and nearby areas. Across the rest of the state, the species is most familiar as a regular migrant, widely observed in shelterbelts, riparian corridors, and urban parks during spring and fall. Its neat rows of sap wells, nasal calls, and brief seasonal appearances make it a distinctive component of North Dakota’s woodpecker community.
Red-Bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
- Identification: Medium-sized, pale woodpecker with a black-and-white barred back and red crown and nape in males (only the nape red in females); the faint reddish belly patch is often difficult to see.
- Where found: Local and scarce year-round resident in extreme southeastern North Dakota, mainly along the Red and Sheyenne River valleys and nearby groves.
- How to spot: Look for a pale woodpecker with a bold “zebra” back and bright red cap climbing trunks or large limbs; listen for rolling “kwirr” or “churr” calls carrying through riverine woods.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); in North Dakota, a localized but gradually increasing resident tied to mature riparian forests.
The red-bellied woodpecker is a distinctive but still uncommon presence in North Dakota, known for its bold markings, ringing calls, and increasingly frequent sightings in the state’s southeast. Measuring 23 to 27 centimeters (9.1 to 10.6 inches) long, it is a slim, pale-faced species with bold black-and-white barring across the back and wings. Males show red extending from the forehead to the nape, while females display red only on the back of the head; both sexes share subtle reddish tones on the lower abdomen that rarely appear clearly in the field.
Red-bellied woodpeckers move confidently along trunks and branches, hitching upward with short hops and occasionally working their way sideways in search of insects, nuts, and seeds. They often pause to scan bark crevices before probing, and their broad diet includes insects, acorns, fruits, and occasionally small vertebrates. Their vocalizations are among the most recognizable woodpecker sounds in eastern forests: a rolling “kwirr” or “churr” that echoes through bottomland woods, accompanied by shorter “cha” or “chee-wuck” notes. Drumming is frequent in spring as pairs defend territories and maintain contact.
Within North Dakota, the species is restricted to areas where mature riparian woodlands persist. Most records come from the southern Red River Valley, wooded reaches of the Sheyenne River, and adjacent groves or shelterbelts with older cottonwoods, elms, or oaks. Birds remain through winter, concentrating in well-treed yards, parks, and river corridors where food and cover are dependable. North Dakota lies at the western edge of the species’ range, and sightings become rare outside these forested southeastern landscapes.
Recent decades have shown a gradual westward and northward expansion of the red-bellied woodpecker, part of a broader continental trend driven by milder winters and maturing woodland cover. In North Dakota, this expansion remains modest and tied to the availability of older riparian forests with adequate deadwood for nesting. Competition with starlings for nest cavities can pose local challenges, yet the species continues to gain a foothold. Where suitable habitat persists, the red-bellied woodpecker adds its bright plumage and ringing calls to the limited but growing woodland bird life in the state’s southeastern corner.
Black-Backed Woodpecker
Picoides arcticus
- Identification: Medium-sized, black-and-white woodpecker with solid black upperparts, white underparts barred on the flanks, and a single white facial stripe; males have a yellow crown patch.
- Where found: Rare, localized resident in extreme northeastern North Dakota, chiefly in the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills where mature or post-disturbance conifer stands persist.
- How to spot: Search for a dark woodpecker flaking bark from dead or damaged conifers and listen for its sharp “kyik” call or drumming that trails off at the end.
- Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); in North Dakota, a scarcely detected specialist limited by the scarcity of suitable conifer habitat.
The black-backed woodpecker is the rarest and most habitat-specific woodpecker in North Dakota, known only from extreme northeast where patches of conifer forest remain. Measuring 23 to 24 centimeters (9.1 to 9.4 inches) long, it is instantly recognizable by its glossy black upperparts, crisp white underparts, and a single white facial stripe. Males show a bright yellow crown patch, while females have a fully black crown. Its dark plumage blends remarkably well with charred or weathered trunks, making perched birds surprisingly difficult to spot.
In the field, black-backed woodpeckers forage quietly and methodically, flaking bark from dead or damaged conifers to reach large wood-boring beetle larvae – their primary prey. They leave pale patches of exposed sapwood where bark has been stripped away, often a more obvious sign of their presence than the bird itself. Their call is a sharp “kyik” or clicking note, and their drumming begins rapidly and fades toward the end. Flights between trunks are low and direct, and the species’ reliance on freshly dead or weakened wood makes it especially tied to natural disturbance.
In North Dakota, this woodpecker’s distribution is highly localized, restricted to the small pockets of spruce, pine, or mixed conifer-deciduous forest in the far northeast. Records concentrate in the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills, where the combination of older conifers, periodic storm damage, and patches of decay provides the insects and substrates the species requires. Even there, observations are few, reflecting both its naturally low density and its tendency to move in response to shifting insect populations.
Because suitable habitat is extremely limited in the state, the black-backed woodpecker remains a scarce and elusive resident. Its long-term outlook in North Dakota depends on the persistence of mature conifer patches and the availability of dead or dying trees following natural disturbance events. Though globally stable, the species is sensitive to loss of post-disturbance habitat and extensive salvage logging, factors that reduce the very conditions it relies on. Where undisturbed snags remain, this rare woodpecker continues to hold a quiet foothold in North Dakota’s northeastern upland forests.
Where and When to See Woodpeckers in North Dakota
North Dakota’s woodpeckers follow the state’s tree cover, which is concentrated along major river corridors and pockets of forest in the east and northeast. The Red River Valley, the Sheyenne River corridor, and the wooded stretches of the Missouri River provide the most consistent viewing, supporting species such as downy, hairy, northern flicker, red-headed, and locally red-bellied and pileated woodpeckers. Farther north, the Turtle Mountains and Pembina Hills offer the state’s only patches of conifer forest, making them the best places to look for the scarce black-backed woodpecker alongside more common species.
Season plays an important role. Downy and hairy woodpeckers, along with resident flickers, remain visible through winter, especially around suet feeders and well-treed parks. Red-headed woodpeckers and yellow-bellied sapsuckers appear mainly from spring through early fall, with sapsuckers showing up statewide during migration. Pileated woodpeckers stay year-round but are limited to mature riverine forests and upland groves in the east and northeast. As trees leaf out in May and early June, drumming, calling, and foraging activity peak, offering the best chance to observe breeding behavior.
Although some broad range maps suggest the American three-toed woodpecker may occur in far northeastern North Dakota, there are no confirmed records or photographs for the state. Its absence reflects the limited extent of the dense, mature conifer habitat it requires. For now, the species remains a possibility on paper only and is not included in this guide.
