Woodpeckers are some of the most exciting birds in North America, and with their bright colors and loud tapping sounds, they can be easily spotted amongst the trees.
There are seven Woodpeckers of New Jersey, and each species has unique features that make them stand out.
What Are The Most Common Woodpeckers In New Jersey?
The most common woodpeckers in New Jersey include the Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and Red-headed Woodpecker.
Of the seven woodpeckers of New Jersey, the first three species are more commonly observed than the last four, and all but two can be seen in the state all year round.
This post will explore the seven woodpeckers in New Jersey and highlight their unique characteristics, such as size, calls, plumage, and feeding behavior.
We have organized the list from most likely to be seen to the least likely to be seen for your convenience.
New Jersey Woodpeckers
According to the latest data from ebird, there are seven observed species of Woodpeckers in New Jersey. This data has been collected from over 30,400 dedicated bird watchers throughout New Jersey.
Here are some quick facts:
- Red-bellied Woodpeckers are the most commonly observed woodpeckers in New Jersey
- Red-Headed Woodpeckers are the least widely observed woodpecker in New Jersey
- The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest Woodpecker in New Jersey
- Downy Woodpeckers are the smallest Woodpeckers in New Jersey
- Downy Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and Hairy Woodpeckers are common backyard birds of New Jersey and are most likely to visit backyard bird feeders.
7 Types Of Woodpeckers In New Jersey
1. Red-bellied Woodpecker
The Red-bellied Woodpecker is a mid-sized woodpecker found in the eastern United States. They are non-migratory and are year-round residents of New Jersey.
These birds have black with white stripes running down their backs and wings. The males have red running from their bill to the back of their heads, while the females only have red on the back of their heads.
Both males and females are white below, and the belly of these birds is typically a pale pink or salmon color.
- Length: 23-25cm (9 to 10 inches)
- Weight: 56-91g (2 to 3 oz)
- Wingspan: 33-42cm (13 to 17 inches)
- Size: Larger than a Robin but smaller than a Crow
The red-bellied woodpecker is also a very vocal bird, and its calls consist of a shrill, rolling “kwirr” sound. They also have a coughing “cha cha cha” call used to mark their territory or attract a mate.
Red-bellied Woodpeckers rarely drill into trees to find their food but instead forage for food from trees, the ground, and the air.
Red-bellied woodpeckers primarily eat insects but will also eat fruits, berries, and nuts. They will also eat suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts from bird feeders.
The red-bellied woodpecker is a cavity nester, so they will drill a hole in a tree to make their nest. Both the male and female will take turns drilling the hole and incubating the eggs.
Females will lay between 4-5 eggs per clutch and incubate their eggs for about two weeks before the chicks hatch.
After hatching, it takes roughly another three weeks for the chicks to fledge or grow their adult feathers and be able to fly on their own.
2. Downy Woodpecker
The Downy Woodpecker is the smallest member of the woodpecker family in North America. They are found in wooded areas throughout North America and are non-migratory, and can be seen in New Jersey all year round.
They are primarily black with white stripes running down their backs and white spotted wings. The males have a red patch on the back of their heads, while the females have a white patch.
- Length: 14-17cm (5.5 to 7 inches)
- Weight: 21-28g (0.5 to 1 oz)
- Wingspan: 25-30cm (10 to 12 inches)
- Size: Smaller than a Robin but larger than a sparrow
Their bills are short, straight, and chisel-like, which they use to drill into trees to find insects to eat.
The downy woodpecker is a very vocal bird and will often be heard before they are seen. Their calls consist of a sharp “pik” sound followed by a softer “pik”. They also have a drumming call used to mark their territory or attract a mate.
These birds are most active during the day and can be seen crawling up tree trunks, hopping from branch to branch, or hanging upside down from branches while foraging for food.
Downy woodpeckers primarily eat insects, but they will also eat fruits, berries, and nuts. They are also frequent visitors to bird feeders that offer suet, sunflower seeds or peanuts.
The downy woodpecker is a cavity nester, which means they will drill a hole in a tree to make their nest. Both the male and female will take turns drilling the hole and incubating the eggs.
Females will lay between 3-6 white eggs per clutch. They incubate their eggs for about two weeks before the chicks hatch.
After hatching, it takes roughly another three weeks for the chicks to fledge or grow their adult feathers and be able to fly on their own.
3. Northern Flicker
The Northern Flicker is a medium-sized woodpecker found across North America, and can be seen in New Jersey all year round.
There are two color groups, but all have brown plumage with black bars on their wings and tails, a black crescent mark on their cheeks, and spotted underparts.
The yellow-shafted species have yellow underwings and undertail, a grey crown, red patch behind their heads, and males have a black whisker on their face. The yellow-shafted species can be found in North America’s eastern and northern parts.
The Red-shafted species have pinkish-salmon color underwings and undertail, brown crown, lacks the red patch behind their heads, and the males have a red whisker mark on their face. The red-shafted species can be found in western North America.
- Length: 28-31cm (about 11 to 12 inches)
- Weight: 110-160g (3.9 to 5.6 oz)
- Wingspan: 42-51cm (about 16.5 to 20 inches)
- Size: Larger than a Robin but smaller than Crow
The Northern flicker has a loud “wick-a-wick-a-wick” sound. Both males and females make a loud, rapid drumming sound on trees or metal objects to mark their territories, attract mates, or warn off other Northern flickers.
Unlike most woodpeckers, Northern Flickers prefer to forage on the ground and use their long bills to dig in the ground for ants and other insects. You often see them “wicking” their bills on the ground after they catch an insect.
Northern flickers also eat fruits, berries, and nuts in the fall and winter. They will also eat suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts from bird feeders.
The Northern flicker is a cavity nester, and the male and female take turns drilling the hole and incubating the eggs.
Females will lay between 5-8 eggs per clutch and incubate their eggs for about two weeks before the chicks hatch.
After hatching, it takes roughly another three weeks for the chicks to fledge or grow their adult feathers and be able to fly on their own.
Tip: If you want to find a Northern Flicker, look for them feeding on the ground.
4. Hairy Woodpecker
The Hairy Woodpecker is a mid-sized woodpecker found in the eastern United States. They are non-migratory and can be seen in New Jersey all year round.
These birds have black with white stripes running down their backs and wings and white underparts. The males have red on the back of their heads, while the females have no red.
They appear similar to Downy Woodpeckers, except they are larger and have longer bills.
- Length: 18-26cm (7 to 10 inches)
- Weight: 40-95g (1.4 to 4 oz)
- Wingspan: 33-41cm (13 to 16 inches)
- Size: About the size of a Robin
The hairy woodpecker has a sharp “peek” sound similar but lower pitched to a Downy Woodpecker call. They also have a drumming call to mark or defend their territory, attract a mate, or respond to an intruder.
They are active foragers probing tree trunks and limbs, scaling off the bark, and drilling into the wood for their preferred food.
Hairy woodpeckers primarily eat insects but will also eat fruits, berries, and nuts. They will also eat suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts from bird feeders.
The hairy woodpecker is a cavity nester, so they will drill a hole in a tree to make their nest. Both the male and female take turns drilling the hole and incubating the eggs.
Females will lay between 3-6 eggs per clutch and incubate their eggs for about two weeks before the chicks hatch.
After hatching, it takes roughly another four weeks for the chicks to fledge or grow their adult feathers and be able to fly on their own.
5. Pileated Woodpecker
The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker found in North America and can be seen in northern New Jersey all year round.
They are primarily black all over with white stripes running down their necks and wings and have a red crest on their heads. The males also have a red forecrown and red whisker near their bills, while the females have a black forecrown and black whisker.
- Length: 40-49cm (about 16 to 20 inches)
- Weight: 250-350g (8.8 to 12 oz)
- Wingspan: 66-75cm (29 to 30 inches)
- Size: Large; about the size of a crow
The Pileated woodpecker has a loud, echoing “kuk” sound similar to laughter. Both males and females drum on trees to mark their territories, attract mates, or warn off other Pileated woodpeckers.
They are powerful foragers that use their long bills to chisel away at tree bark to find their favorite food – insects.
Their chiseling leaves extensive excavations in trees that provide shelter for other smaller birds and mammals.
Pileated woodpeckers also eat fruits, berries, and nuts. They will also eat suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts from bird feeders.
Like other woodpeckers, the Pileated woodpecker is a cavity nester, and the male and female take turns drilling the hole and incubating the eggs.
Females will lay between 3-5 eggs per clutch and incubate their eggs for about three weeks before the chicks hatch.
After hatching, it takes roughly another four weeks for the chicks to fledge or grow their adult feathers and be able to fly on their own.
6. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a medium-sized woodpecker found across North America. They can be seen in New Jersey during the colder non-breeding months.
They are primarily black and white with a striped face, white wing patches, and yellowish underparts. Males have a red forecrown and red throat, and females have a red forecrown and white throat.
- Length: 18-22cm (7 to 8.5 inches)
- Weight: 43-55g (1.5 to 1.9 oz)
- Wingspan: 34-40cm (13 to 16 inches)
- Size: About the size of a Robin
The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker has a squeal-like call that sounds like “weeah” and a cat like “meeow” call. They also make a drumming sound on trees or metal objects to warn other birds away from their territories, but it is slower and less regular than other woodpeckers.
Yellow-bellied sapsuckers are unique among woodpeckers in that they drink the sap of trees. They make small holes in the bark of trees and return to these holes to feed on the sap, and the insects attracted to it.
They also eat flying insects, fruits, and seeds. In the winter, they will also eat suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts from bird feeders.
The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a cavity nester. The male and female take turns drilling the hole and incubating the eggs.
Females will lay between 3-7 eggs per clutch and incubate them for about two weeks before the chicks hatch.
After hatching, it takes roughly another three weeks for the chicks to fledge or grow their adult feathers and be able to fly on their own. Before the fledglings leave the nest, their parents teach them the sapsucking technique.
7. Red-headed Woodpecker
The Red-headed Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker found across North America and can be seen in New Jersey during the warmer breeding months.
They are all black with a white chest and belly, white patches on their wings, and a red head, neck, and throat.
Males and females look alike, but juveniles have brownish heads without a red hue.
- Length: 19-23cm (7.5 to 9 inches)
- Weight: 56-91g (2 to 3.2 oz)
- Wingspan: 42cm (16.5 inches)
- Size: Larger than a Robin but smaller than Crow
The Red-headed woodpecker has a shrill “tchur” call, similar to that of a Red-bellied Woodpecker but with a higher pitch. They also drum on trees or metal objects to warn off other birds.
Red-headed woodpeckers are omnivores and are adept at catching flying insects such as moths and grasshoppers while in flight. They will also eat fruits, berries, and nuts in the fall and winter. They will also eat suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts from bird feeders.
The Red-headed Woodpecker is one of the few woodpeckers that store food in crevices for later feeding.
The red-headed woodpecker is a cavity nester, and the male and female take turns drilling the hole and incubating the eggs.
Females will lay between 4-7 eggs per clutch and incubate their eggs for about two weeks before the chicks hatch.
After hatching, it takes roughly another three weeks for the chicks to fledge or grow their adult feathers and be able to fly on their own.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What types of woodpeckers are in New Jersey?
There are seven observed species of woodpeckers in New Jersey. The most common woodpeckers include the Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and Red-headed Woodpecker.
What Is The Largest Woodpecker In New Jersey?
The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker in New Jersey.
What Is The Smallest Woodpecker In New Jersey?
The Downy Woodpecker is the Smallest woodpecker in New Jersey.
Keep an eye our for the Woodpeckers of New Jersey
New Jersey is home to various Woodpeckers, from the most common Red-bellied Woodpecker to the less common Red-headed Woodpecker. These exciting birds offer an incredible insight into the natural world and provide birdwatchers with plenty of entertainment.
Whether you are out bird watching or just hanging out in your backyard, woodpeckers are sure to bring a smile to your face.
In this article, we have identified the seven commonly observed species of woodpeckers in New Jersey by size, calls, plumage, and feeding behavior.
Whether you are interested in identifying birds at your backyard feeder or observing Woodpeckers in their natural habitat, this list will help you identify the many woodpeckers of New Jersey.
If you have questions about identifying more species of birds in New Jersey or finding out which ones live near you, let us know! We would love to help identify new bird species for our readers.
Happy bird watching!
