Art Lander Jr. is outdoors editor for NKyTribune. He is a native Kentuckian, a graduate of Western Kentucky University and a life-long hunter, angler, gardener and nature enthusiast. The Northern Flicker feeds primarily on the ground, eating ants and beetle larvae. They belong to the same genus as the Acorn Woodpecker, and like them, they are known to store food in cracks in trees. (“Woodpecker reproduction, and ultimately their abundance, has been severely impacted by the non-native European Starling, a noxious bird that competes for nest sites, often taking over holes in trees made by woodpeckers.”). An insectivore, it inhabits deciduous forests in eastern North America, the Great Lakes, the boreal forests of Canada, and parts of the Pacific Coast.It is the largest common woodpecker in the U.S., possibly second to the critically endangered or extinct ivory-billed. Six species — the Red-Headed Woodpecker, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker and Pileated Woodpecker — nest in Kentucky. There might be some overlap with the Red-naped Sapsucker territory. • The Red-Bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) is found throughout Kentucky, but is less abundant in the eastern third of the state. Habitat: Mature forests with large trees. © 9602 KyForward.com. They enjoy open areas with grasses and woodlands, especially oak dominated areas because the consume acorns. The picture provides a good comparison of the Downy and Hairy and highlights the fact they Hairy Woodpeckers have a larger bill. The wings and tail are bluish-black, the breast is white, and there are white patches on their wings. Males have a red “mustache” Diet: Ants and other wood-boring insects, some berries. Practice mobbing. They don’t mind flocking in large groups when food is plentiful. It’s the only species in the Dryocopus genus in the United Sates and probably the largest woodpecker in Kentucky. Downy Woodpecker. Place trays on the ground filled with mixed bird seed that includes black oil sunflower seeds, and hang suet cakes in wire cage feeders, and it’s likely woodpeckers will show up. The female’s head is buffy and the nape is red. Most species have specialized feet and toes. In the northernmost area of their range they are a summer resident for breeding and then migrate south for the winter. One of the best times to get a glimpse of this majestic woodpecker is in the spring, as nesting activity begins in late March. They are tree clingers — adapted to climbing and feeding on trees. In instances where they breed and live in non-residential areas, they can be shy. Related. Most common woodpecker in KY. Bluejay. Most of the population lives in mountain forests. Size: 16-19 inches (the largest North American woodpecker) Identifying markings: Mainly black with a red crest, black and white stripped face, white stripe down the neck, and white wing linings. West Indian Woodpecker . It would have been nice if the article was about that, though I did rather enjoy the article. He has worked as a newspaper columnist, magazine journalist and author and is a former staff writer for Kentucky Afield Magazine, editor of the annual Kentucky Hunting & Trapping Guide and Kentucky Spring Hunting Guide, and co-writer of the Kentucky Afield Outdoors column. In winter, transients from more northern breeding areas, pass through Kentucky and may overwinter here, boosting local populations. The birds button on the left leads to additional identification info. Their long tongues with barbed tips are used to probe crevices in tree bark to find insects and larvae. TREE SWALLOW First swallow species to return each spring 9. Females only have a red crown. In winter, several species of woodpeckers often frequent backyard bird feeders, where they can be observed up close and photographed. Males have a small red patch on the nape of the neck. The back and top of the male’s head is red. They are found in all of the state’s forest types, yet seem to prefer farmland woodlots, large urban parks, and wooded suburban neighborhoods. The 17-inch, crow-sized bird has distinctive plumage too, and a loud, unmistakable vocalization cuk-cuk-cuk-cuk-cuk, that rises and falls in pitch. Is anyone home? Woodpecker popularity partially comes about because they enjoy living in and around residential areas. The Pileated Woodpecker is one of the biggest, most striking forest birds on the continent.