Woodpeckers in Minnesota 2023

Woodpeckers Minnesota

Learn about the 5 Outstanding Woodpeckers in Minnesota That You Might See Around the State.

There’s a good chance a woodpecker is nearby if you ever hear repetitive drumming in the woods. These birds are well known throughout the entire world for their habit of striking trees with their unique bills. They’re found all across America in a wide variety of woodlands and forests. In this article, we’re going to review the 5 species of woodpeckers in Minnesota and the times of the year to find them.

In the north-central region of the country, Minnesota is bordered to the east by Lake Superior and Michigan, and to the west by North and South Dakota. It is the 12th largest state in terms of total area and has a variety of geographic areas in addition to mixed forests. Numerous kinds of woodpeckers can live year-round in Minnesota thanks to the state’s varied habitats.

We have organized our list from most likely seen to the least likely to be seen for your convenience.

1. Downy Woodpecker

Wingspan 3.27 to 4.13 inches

Weight 0.75 to 1 ounce

Life Expectancy 12 Years

Diet Insects & Non-insect arthropods

In North America, the Downy Woodpecker is the tiniest member of the family of woodpeckers. They are non-migratory, can be found in wooded places all around North America, and live all year round in Minnesota.

They are mostly black with white spots on their wings and stripes down their backs.

On the back of their heads, males have a red patch, while females have a white patch.

Their small, chisel-like bills are used to drill into trees in search of insects to feed.

The downy woodpecker is a loud bird that is frequently heard before it is seen. Their calls consist of a sharp “pik” sound followed by a softer “pick”. They have a drumming cry as well, which they employ to demarcate their territory or entice a mate.

When looking for food, you may encounter these birds creeping up tree trunks, bouncing from branch to branch, or hanging upside-down from branches.

The main food that downy woodpeckers consume is insects, although they also take nuts, fruits, and berries. They frequently stop at bird feeders that provide suet, sunflower seeds, or peanuts as the treat.

The downy woodpecker will bore a hole in a tree to build its nest because it is a cavity nester. Drilling the hole and incubating the eggs will alternate between the male and female.

Per clutch, females will deposit anything from 3 to 6 white eggs. Prior to the chicks hatching, they incubate their eggs for roughly two weeks.

After hatching, it takes the chicks about three more weeks to “fledge,” or grow adult feathers, and be able to fly alone.

2. Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Wingspan 15-18 inches

Weight 2.65 ounces

Life Expectancy 12 Years

Diet Insects

The eastern United States is home to the medium-sized Red-bellied Woodpecker. Since they are not migratory, they are constantly visible in southern Minnesota These birds’ wings and backs are covered with black and white stripes.

Females only have red on the rear of their heads; males have it flowing from their bill to the back of their heads.

The belly of these birds is often a light pink or salmon color, with both males and females being completely white underneath.

The red-bellied woodpecker is another extremely loud bird, and it makes a harsh, rolling “kwirr” sound as it calls it. They can also call “cha cha cha” while coughing to demarcate their area or entice a partner.

Red-bellied Rarely do woodpeckers drill into trees in search of food; instead, they scavenge for food on trees, the ground, and in the air.

Although they prefer eating insects, red-bellied woodpeckers will also consume fruits, berries, and nuts. Suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts from bird feeders are also foods they will consume.

As a cavity nester, the red-bellied woodpecker will bore a hole in a tree to build its nest. Drilling the hole and incubating the eggs will alternate between the male and female.

Before the chicks hatch, females will incubate their eggs for roughly two weeks and lay between 4-5 eggs per clutch.

After hatching, it takes the chicks about three more weeks to “fledge,” or grow adult feathers, and be able to fly alone.

3. Hairy Woodpecker

Wingspan 15 inches

Weight 1.4 to 3.4 ounces

Life Expectancy 15 years

Diet Wood-boring insects & tree sap

A medium-sized woodpecker, the Hairy Woodpecker may be found throughout the eastern United States. They live all year round in Minnesota and are non-migratory.

These birds have white underparts and black upper parts with white stripes going along them. The backs of the males’ heads are red, while the backs of the females are colorless.

The only differences between them and Downy Woodpeckers are their size and length of bills.

A piercing “peek” sound resembling a Downy Woodpecker call, but at a lower pitch, is made by the hairy woodpecker. They can use their drumming sound to attract a partner, mark or defend their territory, or react to an intruder.

They are energetic foragers who probe tree trunks and limbs, peel the bark off, and drill into the wood in search of their preferred food.

Although they prefer eating insects, hairy woodpeckers will also consume fruits, berries, and nuts. Suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts from bird feeders are also foods they will consume.

The hairy woodpecker is a cavity nester, therefore they will bore a hole in a tree to create their nest. Drilling the hole and incubating the eggs are done alternately by the male and female.

Before the chicks hatch, females will incubate their eggs for roughly two weeks and lay between 3-6 eggs per clutch.

Four weeks pass after hatching before the chicks “fledge,” or acquire adult feathers, and become independent flyers.

4. Northern Flicker

Wingspan 21.3 inches

Weight 6 ounces

Life Expectancy 9 years

Diet Insects, seeds, nuts & fruit

The Northern Flicker is a medium-sized woodpecker that lives all year round in Minnesota and is widespread throughout North America.

There are two color subgroups, but both feature brown upper parts and tails with black bars, a black crescent mark on the cheeks, and spots.

The males of the yellow-shafted species have black whiskers on their faces, while females have red patches behind their heads and yellow underwings and details. The eastern and northern regions of North America are home to the yellow-shafted species.

The Red-shafted species lacks the red patch behind their heads and has brown crowns, pinkish-salmon underwings, and an orange whisker mark on the males’ faces. In western North America, you can find the red-shafted species.

A loud “wick-a-wick-a-wick” sound is made by the Northern flicker. A loud, rapid drumming sound is produced by male and female Northern flickers to identify their territory, attract mates, or scare off rival species.

Unlike most woodpeckers, Northern Flickers prefer to forage on the ground, digging for ants and other insects with their long beak. After catching an insect, you frequently observe them “wicking” their bills on the ground.

In the fall and winter, northern flickers also consume fruits, berries, and nuts. Suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts from bird feeders are also foods they will consume.

The male and female of the Northern Flicker take turns drilling the hole and tending to the eggs because they are cavity nesters.

Before the chicks hatch, females will incubate their eggs for roughly two weeks and lay between 5-8 eggs per clutch.

After hatching, it takes the chicks about three more weeks to “fledge,” or grow adult feathers, and be able to fly alone.

5. Pileated Woodpecker

Wingspan 26 to 30 inches

Weight 8.8 to 14.1 ounces

Life Expectancy 13 Years

Diet Fruit, nuts & insects

The Pileated Woodpecker, which is the biggest woodpecker in North America, lives all year in Minnesota.

They have a red crest on their heads and are essentially all black, with white stripes going down their wings and down their necks. The males additionally have a crimson forecrown and red whisker near their bills, while the females have a black forecrown and black whisker.

A loud, resonant “kuk” sound is made by the Pileated woodpecker that sounds like laughter. Male and female Pileated woodpeckers both beat on trees to identify their territories, entice mates, or scare off other birds.

They are strong foragers who chisel at tree bark with their long bills to uncover their preferred food—insects.

Other smaller birds and mammals can find shelter in the huge pits of their chiseling leaves in trees.

Pileated woodpeckers also eat fruits, berries, and nuts. Suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts from bird feeders are also foods they will consume.

The Pileated woodpecker, like other woodpeckers, builds its nests in cavities, and the male and female alternate roles in digging the hole and tending to the eggs.

Prior to the chicks hatching, females would incubate their eggs for roughly three weeks and lay between 3-5 eggs per clutch.

Four weeks pass after hatching before the chicks “fledge,” or acquire adult feathers, and become independent flyers.

(FAQs) What Kind Of Woodpeckers Live In Minnesota?

In Minnesota, there are nine known species of woodpeckers. They include the American Three-toed Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-headed Woodpecker, and Black-backed Woodpecker.

What Is The Largest Woodpecker In Minnesota?

The largest woodpecker in Minnesota is the Pileated Woodpecker.

What Is The Smallest Woodpecker In Minnesota?

The Downy Woodpecker is Minnesota’s smallest woodpecker.

Keep an Eye Out For the Woodpeckers of Minnesota

The woodpeckers of Minnesota can be an intriguing species to investigate, whether you’re a serious bird watcher or just have a general interest in the natural world. There is something for everyone in the state, which has nine species represented.

It can be enjoyable and simple to identify these woodpeckers in your neighborhood, and it is a terrific opportunity to learn about the various species of woodpeckers in Minnesota.