7 Woodpeckers in Illinois (ID Guide With Pictures)
In Illinois, woodpeckers thrive, their bills drumming a rhythm as they hunt for insects. I’ve researched these birds, marveling at their long tongues and shock-absorbing skulls.
They’re not just birds; they’re master craftsmen of the trees. Illinois offers a sanctuary for seven unique woodpecker species, each with its quirks. From the iconic red-headed woodpecker to the elusive yellow-bellied sapsucker, my guide will help you discover and appreciate these avian artisans in their natural habitat.
Here we’ll learn about 7 different types of woodpeckers in Illinois
1. Downy Woodpecker
- Scientific name: Dryobates pubescens
- Length: 14 to 18 cm
- Weight: 20 to 33 g
- Wingspan: 25 to 31 cm
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- Status: Least Concern
The Downy Woodpecker is the tiniest in North America, but it’s a big favorite. These little birds are brave and often come close to people, especially when there’s bird food around.
First off, you can tell them apart from their look-alike, the Hairy Woodpecker, because they’re smaller. Also, if you spot a red spot on the back of a woodpecker’s head, that’s a male!
Now, Downy Woodpeckers love forests with lots of trees that lose their leaves in winter, but they’re cool with cities too if they can find enough to eat. They love munching on bugs they find under tree bark, which is great for us because some of those bugs can ruin crops.
Moreover, these woodpeckers are like nature’s carpenters, making holes in trees to nest. The mom and dad woodpecker do this together, which is kind of like a date for them. Plus, they’re smart – they use the same holes to stay warm during winter. Pretty cool, right?
2. Red-bellied Woodpecker
- Scientific name: Melanerpes carolinus
- Length: 22.85-26.7 cm
- Weight: 2.0-3.2 oz
- Wingspan: 38 to 46 cm
- Lifespan: 3-6 years
- Status: Least Concern
Red-bellied Woodpecker stands out, not for its subtle red belly, but for its striking red cap and patterned back.
Easily spotted from afar, these woodpeckers have a varied diet, enjoying everything from spiders to fruits. They’re quite brave around us humans, often seen at bird feeders in various neighborhoods.
So, keep an eye out for that red cap – it’s your best clue to spotting these vibrant birds!
3. Black-backed Woodpecker
- Scientific name: Picoides arcticus
- Length: 23 cm
- Weight: 2.1-3.1 oz
- Wingspan: 15.8-16.5 in
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
- Status: Least Concern
The Black-backed Woodpecker is a medium-sized bird with a distinctive look: a sleek black upper body and a patterned belly.
The males boast a bright yellow cap, setting them apart from their peers. These woodpeckers are experts at drilling into trees to create nesting holes. Interestingly, they make a new nest each breeding season and leave the old one behind.
Also, This habit is a boon for other species like owls and squirrels, who use these abandoned nests to raise their young. It’s a wonderful example of nature’s interconnectedness.
4. Pileated Woodpecker
- Scientific name: Dryocopus pileatus
- Length: 40 to 49 cm
- Weight: 225-400 g
- Wingspan: 66-75 cm
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
- Status: Least Concern
The Pileated Woodpeckers in Illinois is a standout, being the largest in North America and third in the world.
Both males and females sport a sharp crest, but males are bigger and have a red stripe by their beak, while females have a black one.
They’re not picky eaters, enjoying insects and even poison ivy berries. Their huge nesting holes become homes for ducks, owls, and raccoons once they move on.
5. Northern Flicker
- Scientific name: Colaptes auratus
- Length: 28–36 cm
- Weight: 86 to 167 g
- Wingspan: 42–54 cm
- Lifespan: 7-10 years
- Status: Least Concern
The Northern Flicker is a type of woodpecker that’s mostly brown with black spots and a red mark on the back of its head.
Firstly, this bird is pretty good at hiding on the ground, which is unusual for woodpeckers. Also, They like to eat on the ground, and ants are one of their favorite snacks. Ants can make up about half of what they eat!
Secondly, these birds do something called “anting.” It might look weird, but they take ants and rub them on their feathers. People think this helps keep away other bugs that could be annoying or harmful, like feather mites.
Lastly, Northern Flickers have a special way of saying “keep out” to other animals that might want to come into their area. They bang their beaks against something hard, like wood or metal, to make a loud noise. If people are around, they might even use a metal thing to make an even louder sound.
6. Red-headed Woodpecker
- Scientific name: Melanerpes erythrocephalus
- Length: 19 to 25 cm
- Weight: 56 to 97 g
- Wingspan: 42.5 cm
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
- Status: previously Near Threatened
Red-headed Woodpecker is a fun bird to watch and stands out from other woodpeckers. It’s easy to spot because it has three different colors: a red head, a black back, and a white belly. These clear colors make it different from other woodpeckers that have stripes or patterns.
This bird is really bold when it comes to food. Most woodpeckers eat both plants and animals, but the Red-headed Woodpecker goes all out. It even eats bird eggs and small animals like mice.
But just like its woodpecker friends, it mostly enjoys berries and bugs. And here’s a cool fact: Red-headed Woodpeckers store their food for the winter, kind of like how squirrels hide nuts!
7. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
- Scientific name: Sphyrapicus varius
- Length: 19-21 cm
- Weight: 50.3 g
- Wingspan: 34-40 cm
- Lifespan: 4-8 years
- Status: Least Concern
The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a woodpecker with a funny name and a unique way of doing things. Unlike other woodpeckers that make their homes in dead trees, this one likes to make its nest in living trees.
Sometimes, this can hurt or even kill the tree, but it doesn’t happen very often. Because of this, some people think the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a bit of a troublemaker, but that’s not fair.
This bird does have a yellow belly, but it’s hard to see. That’s because when they’re eating from tree trunks, their belly isn’t visible. Instead, look for a bird that’s black and white with a red spot on its head – that’s the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker!
Where are See Illinois’s Hawks
Woodpeckers are not only beautiful but also unique, and the good news is they’re usually easy to find. For example, the friendly Downy Woodpecker often visits local bird feeders.
Even if you don’t have perfect vision, you can still hear a woodpecker’s distinctive tapping. If you follow the sound, you might just see one in action.
If you’re wondering where to start looking for woodpeckers in Illinois, here’s a tip:
Many state parks in Illinois have trails that are perfect for watching wildlife, and they often provide guides to the birds you can see there.
Local birdwatching groups, like the Audubon Society, often offer guided tours. These can be really helpful, especially if you’re new to birdwatching.
The guides on these tours are experienced birdwatchers who are good at spotting birds, which is great if you’re trying to find a bird that’s rare in your area.
Would you like woodpeckers to live near you? Here are some ways to make that happen:
- Avoid using insecticides. Woodpeckers eat insects, and insecticides could harm them.
- Having woodpeckers around is a natural way to control pests, which means fewer bugs in your yard.
- Woodpeckers like big nest boxes placed high up.
- Keeping dead trees on your property can attract woodpeckers because they provide homes and food for them.
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Final Thoughts:
Woodpeckers in Illinois are surprised with their biodiversity, boasting fascinating animals like the endangered Black Rail and near-threatened Greater Prairie Chicken. Whether you’re a birder, wildlife photographer, or nature enthusiast, the state offers rich opportunities. Woodpeckers, crucial for ecosystem health, combat harmful insects, making their presence vital.
