Woodpeckers are fairly common birds in Oregon, with nine species that regularly occur in the state. Some species like the Downy Woodpecker and Northern Flicker are widespread and can be found across much of Oregon. Other woodpeckers have more limited ranges in certain habitat types or regions of the state.
Common woodpecker species in Oregon
Here are some of the most common woodpecker species found in Oregon:
- Downy Woodpecker – The smallest woodpecker in North America. Widespread in woodlands across Oregon.
- Hairy Woodpecker – Larger lookalike of the Downy. Also common across Oregon.
- Northern Flicker – One of the most widespread woodpeckers in Oregon. Often seen foraging on the ground.
- Pileated Woodpecker – The largest woodpecker in Oregon. Lives in mature forests.
- Red-breasted Sapsucker – Drills sap wells in trees. Found in coniferous forests west of the Cascades.
- Lewis’s Woodpecker – A colorful woodpecker of oak woodlands. Rare in Oregon but can be locally common.
- White-headed Woodpecker – Found in open pine forests east of the Cascades. Locally common.
- Acorn Woodpecker – Lives in oak woodlands in southwest Oregon. Forms granary trees to store acorns.
- Williamson’s Sapsucker – Breeds in mixed conifer forests, mainly east of the Cascades. Migrates out of Oregon in winter.
Downy Woodpecker
The Downy Woodpecker is one of the most widespread and commonly seen woodpeckers in Oregon. This small black-and-white woodpecker has a broad range across North America and can be found in woodlands and semi-open areas throughout Oregon. They are permanent residents, staying year-round in the state.
Downy Woodpeckers excavate nest cavities in dead trees and may reuse the same cavity in subsequent years. They mainly eat insects but will also consume berries, acorns and sap. These woodpeckers excavate shallow holes in tree bark to find insects, larvae and spiders.
Listen for the Downy Woodpecker’s whinnying call and the drumming of its bill on trees as it excavates for food.
Northern Flicker
The Northern Flicker is another very common and widespread woodpecker in Oregon. This medium-sized bird can be identified by its brown back, barred black-and-white rump, and black spots on its belly. Two subspecies occur in Oregon – the Yellow-shafted Flicker in the eastern part of the state and Red-shafted in the west.
Northern Flickers breed in most of Oregon’s habitat types, from woodlands to semi-open country. They are often seen scanning the ground for ants and other insects. Flickers excavate nest cavities in trees but will readily use existing cavities or nest boxes as well.
Listen for the loud, ringing calls of the Northern Flicker. They also make a loud, repeating drumming sound as part of their breeding display by hammering on metal objects like gutters.
Pileated Woodpecker
The Pileated Woodpecker is Oregon’s largest woodpecker species and lives in mature forests across the state. They require large, old trees for nesting and roosting. Pileated Woodpeckers mostly eat carpenter ants from dead and fallen logs.
These crow-sized woodpeckers are impressive to see, with their bold black-and-white pattern and brilliant red crest on the head. Listen for their loud, rolling territorial calls and slow, loud drumming on trees.
Good places to spot Pileated Woodpeckers include mature forests in the Cascades and Coast Range as well as along major rivers like the Rogue and Columbia.
Red-breasted Sapsucker
The Red-breasted Sapsucker is a neat looking woodpecker marked with red on the head and throat. Males have a bright red throat while females have a white throat and partial red crown.
These woodpeckers drill sap wells in trees, especially in birch and willow. They feed on the sap as well as insects attracted to the sap. Red-breasted Sapsuckers nest in forested areas, mainly coniferous forests west of the Cascades in Oregon.
Listen for their cat-like mewing calls. Sapsucker sap wells are distinctive with their neat, rectangular shape.
Lewis’s Woodpecker
Lewis’s Woodpecker is one of Oregon’s most colorfully patterned woodpeckers. Their glossy greenish-black back contrasts with a reddish face and pink belly. This medium-sized woodpecker breeds in open oak woodlands and burned forests in southern and central Oregon.
They fly out from perches to catch insects in flight and sometimes eat berries and acorns as well. Lewis’s Woodpeckers nest in cavities excavated in dead trees or limbs.
This species is sporadic in Oregon, absent in some years but locally common in others. Good sites to find them include the Rogue Valley, Klamath Basin and John Day Fossil Beds.
White-headed Woodpecker
The White-headed Woodpecker is a striking bird endemic to the pine forests east of the Cascades in Oregon. Adult birds have a bold black-and-white pattern with a bright white head. They feed on pine seeds and insects gleaned from pine trees.
Nesting occurs in existing cavities or natural crevices in pine trees. White-headed Woodpeckers are most common at higher elevations in mature pine forests. Places to see them include the Wallowa Mountains, Ochoco National Forest and Malheur National Forest.
Acorn Woodpecker
The Acorn Woodpecker is found in Oregon’s oak woodlands in the southwest part of the state. This striking, clown-faced woodpecker feeds largely on acorns. They are famous for drilling holes in trees to create granary trees to store acorns.
Oak woodlands in places like the Rogue and Umpqua River valleys offer the best chances to find Acorn Woodpeckers. They may also visit backyard feeders near oak forests to eat mealworms, suet or peanuts.
Habitats used by woodpeckers
Oregon’s nine regular woodpecker species occupy different habitat niches around the state:
- Downy Woodpecker – Deciduous and mixed forests, woodlands, parks
- Hairy Woodpecker – Mature deciduous forests, also mixed and coniferous forests
- Northern Flicker – Forests, woodlands, semi-open areas
- Pileated Woodpecker – Mature coniferous or mixed forests
- Red-breasted Sapsucker – Coniferous forests west of the Cascades
- Lewis’s Woodpecker – Open oak woodlands, burned pine forests
- White-headed Woodpecker – Mature pine forests
- Acorn Woodpecker – Oak woodlands
- Williamson’s Sapsucker – Mixed coniferous forests, mainly eastern
With diverse habitats ranging from pine forests to oak woodlands, Oregon can support a variety of woodpecker species.
Best places to see woodpeckers in Oregon
Some of the top spots in Oregon to find different woodpecker species include:
- Siuslaw National Forest – Pileated Woodpecker
- Mt. Hood National Forest – Lewis’s Woodpecker
- Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest – Acorn Woodpecker
- Willamette National Forest – White-headed Woodpecker
- Malheur National Wildlife Refuge – Northern Flicker
- Portland parks – Downy Woodpecker
State parks with good woodpecker habitat include Silver Falls, Valley of the Rogue and Smith Rock.
When and where to see woodpeckers
The best time to find woodpeckers in Oregon is during breeding season from spring through early summer. This is when they are most vocal and active excavating nest cavities.
Any large forested area, especially with older large trees, offers potential woodpecker habitat. Woodpeckers can also be found in semi-open country like parks, golf courses, riparian areas along streams and backyard woodlands.
Early morning is often the best time to observe woodpeckers when they are most active. However they may be seen and heard throughout the day on their territories.
Woodpecker conservation
Habitat loss is the biggest threat facing Oregon’s woodpecker species. They rely on dead standing trees (snags) for nesting, roosting and feeding. Maintaining healthy, mature forests with a mix of tree ages and sizes is crucial.
Other ways to protect woodpeckers include:
- Keeping some fallen logs and branches on the ground for feeding
- Installing nest boxes where snags are lacking
- Avoiding pesticide use which reduces insect prey
- Drinking coffee and cocoa certified Bird Friendly® to help shade-grown habitats
Well-managed forests and woodlands will support populations of Oregon’s important woodpecker species.
Summary
Woodpeckers occupy an important ecological role in Oregon’s forests and woodlands. These cavity-nesting birds help control insect populations while also excavating holes that provide homes for many other species. Maintaining a diversity of woodpecker habitat across Oregon ensures healthy forest ecosystems.
While some species like Downy Woodpeckers thrive in backyards and parks, rarer woodpeckers need protected mature forests. Conservation of Oregon’s public lands and mature forests is vital for the preservation of woodpeckers.
Woodpeckers serve as an indicator of forest health. Protecting these iconic forest birds means we also maintain essential habitat for many other plant and animal species.