There are several types of birds that peck on wood to find food and create nesting cavities. The most common woodpeckers found pecking on trees in North America include:
Downy Woodpecker
The downy woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker in North America, measuring about 6-7 inches in length. They are found across most of North America and are often seen in backyards and parks pecking on trees. Downy woodpeckers create small round holes while searching for insects like beetle larvae that live under the bark. They have black and white plumage with white spots on their wings and red patches on the backs of their heads.
Hairy Woodpecker
Similar in appearance but larger than the downy woodpecker, hairy woodpeckers measure 9-11 inches in length. They create rectangular holes in dead trees while searching for beetle larvae. Their range overlaps with downy woodpeckers, though they are more inclined to inhabit forests. They have black and white barred plumage and males have a red patch on the back of their head.
Red-Bellied Woodpecker
Named for the reddish patch on their lower belly, red-bellied woodpeckers are medium-sized birds about 9 inches in length. They inhabit forests and wooded suburban areas across the eastern United States and along the West Coast. Red-bellied woodpeckers chisel rectangular holes while searching for insects, spiders, and other arthropods behind the bark.
Northern Flicker
The northern flicker is a large woodpecker found across most of North America. They inhabit open woodlands, forests, and suburban areas. Northern flickers create large rectangular holes in search of ants and beetles which make up most of their diet. They have brown plumage with black spots and barred wings and tail feathers. Males have a distinct red patch on the back of their head.
Pileated Woodpecker
The pileated woodpecker is the largest woodpecker in North America, measuring 16-19 inches in length with a wingspan up to 30 inches. They inhabit mature forests across the United States and Canada. Pileated woodpeckers chisel out deep rectangular cavities in dead trees while searching for carpenter ants and wood-boring beetle larvae. They have black and white plumage with a distinct red crest on their head.
Woodpecker Beak and Tongue Adaptations for Pecking
Woodpeckers have specialized beaks and tongues that help them peck into wood.
- Their beaks are long, strong, and chisel-shaped to hammer into tree bark.
- Their tongue extends 2-3 times the length of their bill to extract insects deep within tree cavities.
- Woodpecker skulls and beaks have spongy bone to absorb impact from pecking.
- Their feet have two toes pointing forward and two pointing backward to grip vertically on trees.
- Stiff tail feathers help prop them against tree trunks while pecking.
Why Do Woodpeckers Peck on Trees?
Woodpeckers peck on trees for several important reasons:
- Finding food – Their main food source is insects, larvae, and other arthropods living beneath tree bark. Pecking helps them access this food.
- Excavating nesting and roosting cavities – Woodpeckers chisel out holes in dead trees to create nesting and resting spots.
- Creating sap wells – Some species peck “sap wells” to feed on tree sap and the insects it attracts.
- Drumming – Woodpeckers drum their beaks rapidly on trees to communicate and establish territory.
Common Trees Pecked by Woodpeckers
Dead and dying trees tend to be easier for woodpeckers to excavate. Here are some of the most common types of trees woodpeckers are observed pecking:
Tree Type | Details |
---|---|
Ash | Ash trees like green ash or white ash host insects that woodpeckers eat. |
Pine | Pines and other conifers are often home to wood-boring beetle larvae. |
Oak | Oak trees attract insects and carpenter ants enjoyed by woodpeckers. |
Maple | Maples like red maple can be excavated more easily when dead or dying. |
Aspen | Aspen stands provide nesting sites for many woodpecker species. |
Damage from Woodpeckers
While woodpeckers play an important role in the ecosystem, they can sometimes cause damage to wood siding and buildings as they peck. Signs of potential damage include:
- Holes in wooden siding, eaves, and trim
- Damaged roof shingles
- Pecking noises early in the morning
- Piles of wood chips around base of house
Discouraging woodpeckers from pecking on your home involves identifying and removing food sources, scaring them away with noise deterrents, blocking access to damage areas with netting, and repairing damaged areas.
Conclusion
Woodpeckers peck on trees and wooden structures to access food, create nesting cavities, and communicate. They are well-adapted for pecking with specialized beaks, skulls, tongues, and feet. Downy, hairy, red-bellied, and pileated woodpeckers are among the most common North American species that peck on trees like ash, pine, oak, maple, and aspen. While important to the ecosystem, woodpeckers can sometimes cause unwanted damage to buildings which needs to be mitigated through integrated pest management and exclusion techniques.