Types of Woodpeckers in Tennessee: A Complete Guide
Tennessee is home to several types of woodpeckers, including the red-bellied woodpecker, downy woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, northern flicker, and the large pileated woodpecker. These tree-clinging birds are common in Tennessee’s forests, woodlots, and backyards, and many readily visit feeders. This guide covers how many woodpeckers live in Tennessee, the common species, how to tell them apart, where to see them, and how to attract them.
| Woodpecker | Key Features in Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Red-bellied Woodpecker | Very common, barred back, red crown |
| Downy Woodpecker | Small, common at feeders |
| Hairy Woodpecker | Larger downy look-alike |
| Northern Flicker | Brown, spotted, ground-feeding |
| Pileated Woodpecker | Large, red crest, crow-sized |
| Red-headed Woodpecker | Full red head, bold pattern |
| Yellow-bellied Sapsucker | Winter, drills sap wells |
How Many Types of Woodpeckers Live in Tennessee?
Tennessee hosts several species of woodpeckers, most as year-round residents, ranging from small feeder visitors to large, crow-sized birds. The most familiar and abundant is the red-bellied woodpecker, an extremely common bird of Tennessee’s woods and yards, along with the small downy woodpecker and its larger look-alike, the hairy woodpecker. The northern flicker is a distinctive brown, spotted woodpecker often seen feeding on the ground, and the impressive pileated woodpecker, nearly the size of a crow with a flaming red crest, inhabits mature forests. The boldly patterned red-headed woodpecker and the winter-visiting yellow-bellied sapsucker round out the group. Woodpeckers are specialized for clinging to and climbing tree trunks, using strong bills to drill for insects, excavate nest holes, and drum, aided by stiff tail feathers for support. Tennessee’s abundant forests, from the mountains to the river valleys, support this variety. Understanding the woodpeckers of Tennessee begins with these species, part of the wider group covered in our guide to types of woodpeckers.
Common Woodpeckers in Tennessee
Several woodpeckers are especially common in Tennessee. The red-bellied woodpecker is the most abundant, a medium woodpecker with a black-and-white barred back and a red crown and nape, very common at feeders and in yards, as covered in our guide to the red-bellied woodpecker. The downy woodpecker is the smallest and readily visits feeders, a black-and-white bird with a small bill, as covered in our guide to the downy woodpecker, while the hairy woodpecker looks almost identical but is larger with a longer bill. The northern flicker is a brown, spotted woodpecker that often forages on the ground for ants. The pileated woodpecker is the largest, a spectacular crow-sized bird with a red crest that excavates large rectangular holes. The red-headed woodpecker has an entirely red head with a bold black-and-white body, and the yellow-bellied sapsucker visits in winter, drilling neat rows of holes in trees to feed on sap. Each has its own look and habits, as explored in our guide to backyard birds of Tennessee.
How to Tell Tennessee Woodpeckers Apart
Telling Tennessee’s woodpeckers apart is easier when you use size, pattern, and behavior. Start with size, since the downy woodpecker is small, the red-bellied and hairy woodpeckers are medium, and the pileated woodpecker is very large. The downy and hairy woodpeckers look nearly identical, so focus on the bill, which is short and stubby on the downy and long on the hairy. Look at head and back patterns, such as the red-bellied woodpecker’s barred back and red crown, the red-headed woodpecker’s entirely red head, the pileated woodpecker’s red crest, and the northern flicker’s brown, spotted plumage. Behavior helps too, since the northern flicker often feeds on the ground, the sapsucker drills orderly rows of sap wells, and the pileated woodpecker makes large rectangular excavations. Male woodpeckers usually show more red than females. By combining size, bill length, pattern, and behavior, you can identify Tennessee’s woodpeckers, as explored in our guide to types of owls in Tennessee.
Where to See Woodpeckers in Tennessee
Woodpeckers can be found throughout Tennessee in a variety of wooded habitats. The red-bellied, downy, and hairy woodpeckers are common in forests, woodlots, parks, and backyards across the state, and all readily visit feeders, especially those offering suet and sunflower seed. The northern flicker inhabits open woodlands, edges, and areas with open ground where it can forage for ants, and it is often seen on the ground. The pileated woodpecker requires mature forests with large trees, and it occurs in wooded areas across much of the state, including the mountains and river bottoms. The red-headed woodpecker favors open woodlands, oak areas, and parklands with scattered large trees, and the yellow-bellied sapsucker passes through and winters in the state, drilling its sap wells. Tennessee’s mountains, forests, and river valleys provide excellent woodpecker habitat. Because many woodpeckers visit feeders, backyards are a great place to see them, as detailed in our guide to attracting birds.
How to Attract Woodpeckers in Tennessee
Attracting woodpeckers to your Tennessee yard is very achievable with the right food and habitat. Suet is one of the best foods for woodpeckers, and offering suet in a suet feeder will draw red-bellied, downy, hairy, and sometimes other woodpeckers, especially in the cooler months. Woodpeckers also eat black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts, and, for the red-bellied woodpecker, even fruit, so providing these foods can help. Leaving dead trees or snags standing, where it is safe to do so, benefits woodpeckers greatly, since these provide insects to eat and sites to excavate nest and roost holes. Planting native trees and shrubs that supply insects, nuts, and berries supports woodpeckers naturally, and a source of clean water is welcome. Putting up nest boxes of appropriate sizes can attract cavity-nesting woodpeckers. By offering suet and other foods, keeping snags, planting natives, and providing water, you can enjoy Tennessee’s woodpeckers up close, as reflected in our guide to the best bird seed.
The Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Tennessee Look-Alikes
Among Tennessee’s woodpeckers, the downy and hairy woodpeckers deserve special attention as a classic identification challenge. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the downy woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker in North America and looks very similar to the larger hairy woodpecker, a frequent source of confusion. In Tennessee, both are common year-round residents of forests, woodlots, parks, and yards, and both readily visit feeders, especially for suet. The key to telling them apart is size and bill length, since the downy woodpecker is small with a short, stubby bill, while the hairy woodpecker is noticeably larger with a longer bill about as long as its head is wide. Both are black and white, and males of both have a small red patch on the back of the head that females lack. They often join mixed flocks with chickadees and nuthatches in winter. Learning to separate the downy and hairy woodpeckers is a rewarding skill that sharpens your eye for all of Tennessee’s woodpeckers, as explored in our guide to the downy woodpecker.
Signs of Woodpeckers in Tennessee
Even when you do not see a woodpecker, you can often detect their presence by the signs they leave, which is part of the fun of watching for them in Tennessee. Listen for drumming, the rapid tapping that woodpeckers make on resonant surfaces to communicate and claim territory, which is different from the slower tapping of feeding. Look for holes in trees, from the small, round holes of feeding and nesting to the large, distinctive rectangular excavations of the pileated woodpecker, and for the neat horizontal rows of small holes drilled by the yellow-bellied sapsucker to feed on sap. Piles of wood chips at the base of a tree can indicate a pileated woodpecker at work. Their loud calls and the sight of a bird bounding in undulating flight between trees are also clues. Learning these signs helps you find and appreciate Tennessee’s woodpeckers, even the quieter ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common woodpecker in Tennessee?
The red-bellied woodpecker is the most common and abundant woodpecker in Tennessee, a medium bird with a barred back and red crown that readily visits backyard feeders.
How many types of woodpeckers are in Tennessee?
Tennessee hosts several woodpecker species, including the red-bellied, downy, hairy, red-headed, and pileated woodpeckers, the northern flicker, and the yellow-bellied sapsucker.
What is the largest woodpecker in Tennessee?
The pileated woodpecker is the largest woodpecker in Tennessee, a spectacular crow-sized bird with a flaming red crest that excavates large rectangular holes in dead trees.
How do you tell a downy from a hairy woodpecker?
The downy woodpecker is smaller with a short, stubby bill, while the hairy woodpecker is larger with a longer bill about as long as its head is wide. Otherwise they look alike.
How do you attract woodpeckers in Tennessee?
Offer suet, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and even fruit for red-bellied woodpeckers. Leaving dead trees standing and planting native trees also attracts them.
What woodpecker feeds on the ground in Tennessee?
The northern flicker often feeds on the ground in Tennessee, foraging for ants and other insects. It is a brown, spotted woodpecker with a flash of color in the wings.
Where can you see woodpeckers in Tennessee?
Woodpeckers live in forests, woodlots, parks, and backyards across Tennessee. Many visit feeders, while the pileated woodpecker favors mature forests with large trees.
