Pennsylvania is notorious for being humid and hot throughout the summer months, which attracts a variety of creatures who enjoy basking in the sun. Its winter, on the other hand, is marked by a harsh and bitter cold that might force animals to migrate south.
Pennsylvania has a diverse range of woodpeckers. And In this article, I’ll list and explain all the Woodpeckers In Pennsylvania.
Note: If you’re short on time I have compiled a table of all the woodpeckers with identification and their Diet. You can also read about these woodpeckers in detail below.
| Woodpeckers in Pennsylvania | Length | Weight | Identification(Color) | Diet/Favorite Food |
| Downy Woodpecker | 14-17 cm | 21-28 gm (0.74-0.98oz) | They are b&w in color with patches of red here and there. They are found in woodlots, in backyards, and along streams. | Insects, beetle larvae, acorns, berries and grains, black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts, millets. |
| Red-bellied Woodpecker | 23-27 cm | 72 gm (2.5oz) | A pale red belly with a red cap b&w stripped back. | Insects, spiders, nuts, seeds, acorns, pine cones, grapes, oranges, hackberries, mangoes, sunflower seeds, and peanuts. |
| Northern Flicker | 30-35 cm | 120 gm(4.23oz) | Large woodpeckers, with a size in between crows and Robins, with brown body color and black spots, bars, and crescents all over their bodies along with a red nape. They also have hints of yellow on their bodies as well. | Black oil sunflower seeds are their favorite. |
| Hairy Woodpecker | 7.1-10.2 in (18-26 cm) | 1.4-3.4 oz (40-95 g) | These are black and white birds. ; The head of this bird has two white stripes. The black wings are checkered with white. | Mostly insects, berries, seeds, and nuts. |
| Pileated Woodpecker | 15.8-19.3 in (40-49 cm) | 8.8-12.3 oz (250-350 g) | This woodpecker has a black body with white stripes on the face and neck and a flaming-red crest. | Mostly insects and flies. |
| Yellow-bellied Sapsucker | 7.1-8.7 in (18-22 cm) | 1.5-1.9 oz (43-55 g) | This woodpecker is black and white with a boldly patterned face. Both males and females have red foreheads, and males also have red throats. | Mostly feed on tree sap, Arthropods, fruits, and nuts |
| Red-headed Woodpecker | 7.5-9.1 in (19-23 cm) | 2.0-3.2 oz (56-91 g) | These birds have a bright-red head with white underparts and black backs. | Mostly nuts, seeds, fruits, and berries |
| Black-backed Woodpecker | 9.1 in (23 cm) | 2.1-3.1 oz (61-88 g) | This woodpecker has an Inky black upper body and white lower body with fine black barring on the flanks. | Mostly insects |
8 Types Of Woodpeckers In Pennsylvania: In Detail
Downy Woodpecker
The Downy Woodpecker is commonly mistaken for the Hairy Woodpecker’s smaller younger relative. It has a black and white color scheme and is tiny in size with an extremely short lifetime. These lovely birds make the most of their life and are well-versed in their preferences.
Though the occasional Downy Woodpecker has been seen to use a nesting box, the majority of Downy Woodpeckers prefer to nest in deadwood trees.
Because this woodpecker is a nonmigratory species, it may be found all year in the Pennsylvania area. During the mating season, these birds are busier until the eggs arrive. They’re noted for their unusual approach to co-parenting.
Going out into nature is the only way to find these birds. It’s not unexpected to discover them deep in a forest because they love to nest and hunt in deadwood.
The Downy Woodpecker is notable for sticking to deadwood and vigorously scavenging for insects of all kinds.
They can also be seen hopping around on the ground in search of berries and other tasty goodies.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Even though the Red-Bellied Woodpecker’s tummy has a light pink hue, it’s difficult to detect them since it’s frequently covered when they cling to trees to hunt.
The monogamy and relationships of these birds are well-known. The birds congregate for mating and really choose their nests as a couple.
These charming birds with their colorful heads may be seen all year, although they are known to spend more time fluttering around during mating season in the winter.
During the early seasons, you may observe them out and about looking for partners before settling down.
This bird enjoys wooded locations with rich vegetation and abundant food.
These birds like to spend their time in locations where nuts and berries are more readily accessible.
Northern Flicker
The Northern Flicker is a lovely bird that is well-known for its distinctive look. The patches on this small bird are distinct, with bright splashes of color.
Their undersides are shiny and attractive, making them a bird to keep an eye out for when birding.
They have the usual woodpecker feature of drumming on items to communicate with other woodpeckers, especially female woodpeckers, in the neighborhood.
Though this type of bird is recognized for its migratory habit, it also has a long history in Pennsylvania. This ubiquitous species is always on the lookout for irritating pests, much to the joy of locals.
These birds are quite widespread, especially in forested locations where they may build their nests comfortably.
These unusual birds have been observed breeding in nearby trees and flying around in quest of food.
Hairy Woodpecker
The Hairy Woodpecker is a little black and white woodpecker with a spherical form. The males may be distinguished from the females by their distinctive splash of red.
The Hairy Woodpecker is a cute little bird recognized for its high-pitched cry, which is made up of a distinctive combination of notes.
When they’re looking for a mate, they’re known to sing songs and make traditional drumming noises, making them pretty simple to see if one is nearby.
Though some of these birds may move to other intriguing locations, the majority of them find Pennsylvania to be an excellent spot to remain, hunt, and nest.
They can be seen at any time of day, usually low to the ground as they scavenge for tasty food in the vicinity. If you wish to find these birds, look for them in wooded regions.
These birds prefer to spend their time in trees and may be found in densely forested or marshy locations across Pennsylvania.
They’ve also been spotted in public areas around beaver ponds, parks, and the occasional cemetery across the state.
Pileated Woodpecker
Because of its trademark red feathers atop its head, the Pileated Woodpecker is a pretty straightforward bird to detect.
Pileated Woodpeckers are noted for their distinctive burrows into tree cavities, which they use to build their houses. This specific woodpecker is one of the largest woodpeckers in the world, and it is known to live in Pennsylvania.
Because they are more active during the mating season, you may observe these birds more readily in the winter and early spring.
These birds are most commonly seen actively flying around and preparing a nesting site for the purpose of their possible mates.
These birds are usually seen in wooded areas in Pennsylvania. They love woodland settings with a variety of nesting places and a plentiful supply of delectable foods to eat.
In quest of food, the Pileated Woodpecker is known to fly across broad open spaces like fields.
Coniferous woods are part of their optimal habitat, therefore this is a good spot to look for them.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
The Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker is known to move out of Pennsylvania, however, it does not always do so. When their normal home is too far north, these birds migrate south, and Pennsylvania makes the list.
These birds will depart Pennsylvania during the non-breeding season in the fall in search of softer, warmer regions where they will be secure.
Other than that, the birds can be found throughout the year. Some people may choose to travel a lesser distance rather than leaving Pennsylvania altogether.
Nesting is a one-of-a-kind process for this bird, with the male digging a hollow for a nesting place over the course of several weeks. They prefer forested locations
Red-Headed Woodpecker
With a black and white body and a vivid redhead, the Red-Headed Woodpecker is a stunning bird. They’re most readily identified by their lovely robin-like features, which let them stand out from afar.
These lovely birds have been known to build their nests in nearly any type of wooden construction. They, unlike most other woodpeckers, prefer to reside in non-living wood rather than live trees.
The Red-Headed Woodpecker is notable in Pennsylvania for its short-distance migratory habit. These birds will frequently burrow down in one spot for an extended period of time.
They have been known to go out into new regions in quest of excellent food depending on the time of year, temperature, and food supply. In general, they will flee northern areas of a state in pursuit of warmer weather and more insects.
These birds have a penchant for plant life and a rich quantity of delectable bugs to feast on, so the forest is a perfect site for them.
These birds have been known to visit neighborhood yards and bird feeders on occasion, especially if you live near a more natural setting where they may be found.
Black-backed Woodpecker
A black and white woodpecker noted for its obsession with little deadwood trees. This woodpecker prefers to nest and forage in tiny deadwood trees, and it may often be found in locations where there are lots of deadwood trees.
Because of their proclivity for burrowing into these trees, they are simpler to spot if you know where to look, but their nests might be difficult to spot unless you are looking for them specifically.
The Black-Backed Woodpecker is not a migratory bird, however, it has been known to relocate if the winter becomes too harsh. To avoid the cold, these birds will occasionally leave the forest and migrate to lower elevations.
Despite the fact that they look for new nests every year, they are known to stay in the same place for a long time due to their hunting style, which involves burrowing deep into dead trees to extract larvae.
These birds may be found everywhere there is deadwood. It is a trademark of their domain since it is where they hunt and dwell.
Though the Black-Backed Woodpecker may nest in a living tree on occasion, they almost usually prefer to nest in dead ones.
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