Woodpeckers of Colorado: Species, Attraction Tips & Control Methods (2024)

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Are you curious about the woodpeckers of Colorado? With over 300 species around the world, there are 9 different kinds that can be found in this great state. From American Three-toed Woodpeckers to Red-bellied Woodpeckers and beyond, discovering these birds is a treat for anyone wanting to explore their surroundings.

Whether you’re looking for ways to attract them or tips on how best to manage them on your property, read on as we explore all the details about the woodpeckers of Colorado.

Woodpecker Species in Colorado

Let’s discuss the eleven main woodpecker species found in Colorado. The American three-toed woodpecker can be found in mountainous regions, while the downy woodpecker, the smallest species, is common throughout the state.

Other woodpeckers inhabiting Colorado include the hairy, ladder-backed, Lewis’s, northern flicker, red-headed, red-naped sapsucker, Williamson’s sapsucker, acorn, and red-bellied woodpecker. Each species has distinct characteristics and preferred habitats within the diverse regions of Colorado.

American Three-toed Woodpecker

You’ll find the American three-toed woodpecker in Colorado’s mountainous old growth forests, where it forages on dead and dying conifer trees with its specialized three-toed feet. Preferring higher elevations, this woodpecker chisels into conifers searching for beetle larvae.

Its unique three-toed adaptation provides balance on vertical surfaces. Though native, conservation efforts ensure suitable habitats remain for the American three-toed. Watch for these birds excavating nest cavities in mature forests of the Rockies.

With patience, you may catch a glimpse of one plucking insects from bark with acrobatic agility using its specialized feet.

Downy Woodpecker

Seeing a tiny Downy Woodpecker pecking at your feeder will brighten your day. This smallest North American woodpecker’s black-and-white barred plumage makes identification easy. Enjoy observing its skittishness rewarded with a kernel of your finest suet, as it nibbles away, feeding on insects, sap, and fruit.

Downies favor deciduous trees, so consider nest boxes situated near trees and mature forests to attract them. With a little hospitality, the Downy Woodpecker will enhance your habitat, conduct critical pest control, and fascinate with its timid personality.

Hairy Woodpecker

Larger than its downy cousin, this shy yet widespread Colorado woodpecker avoids humans while foraging on tree trunks and branches.

1. Identified by its large bill and mostly solid black wings.
2. Prefers mature forests with dead trees.
3. Its diet includes ants, beetles, and larvae.
4. Uses drumming for territorial communication.

Though wary, its year-round presence benefits Colorado’s woodland ecosystems.

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Inhabiting the southeastern deserts and scrublands, the Ladder-backed Woodpecker with its insect-eating behavior dwells in pinyon-juniper woodlands unique to Colorado. Its specialized habitat limits this cactus-loving woodpecker to the drier regions of the state.

Conserving native plants like yucca and agave supports its diet of ants, beetles, and other arthropods as protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. With a song sounding like a robotic toy, this species sports distinctive ladder-like black markings on its back.

Lewis’s Woodpecker

You’d spy the colorful Lewis’s woodpecker catching insects in midair in central and southwestern Colorado. Renowned for aerial fly catching, this striking black, pink, and green bird feeds on beetles, ants, grasshoppers, and other insects.

Mainly found in open pine forests, burned or logged areas allow views of these shy woodpeckers perched high surveying for prey. Although populations are declining, you may glimpse this species migrating along riparian areas during migration.

Providing dead trees and snags offers vital habitat for nesting and roosting. A valued contributor to insect control, Lewis’s woodpeckers warrant conservation efforts to preserve Colorado’s avifauna.

Northern Flicker

You’ll spot the colorful northern flicker catching ants on the ground or at your backyard feeder in central and southwestern Colorado. This woodpecker prefers open forests and woodlands, often being found on lawn edges.

Watch for its long tongue snatching ants and beetles or fruits and seeds from backyard feeders. Observe yellow-shafted and red-shafted color variations across its range. Flickers nest in tree cavities but will also use nest boxes.

Unique black mustaches and spotted underwings make them easily identifiable woodland birds.

Red-headed Woodpecker

Seeing the brilliant crimson head of a red-headed woodpecker pecking on a backyard feeder feels like spotting a cardinal in the snow—a flash of vibrant color amid the ordinary. The red-headed woodpecker’s diet consists of insects, seeds, nuts, and fruit. These birds are found in eastern Colorado during the summer nesting season before migrating south for winter.

Providing suet feeders can attract them to backyards. As insectivores and seed-eaters, they help control nuisance bugs while entertaining birdwatchers. Though eye-catching, their conservation status is near-threatened in parts of their range.

Red-naped Sapsucker

Stop and admire the beautiful red nape of this distinct woodpecker as it gracefully clings to trees, harvesting sap in Colorado’s western and central forests.

1. Its unique ruby-red throat distinguishes it from other sapsuckers.
2. It prefers montane pine forests and riparian woodlands.
3. It feeds on sap wells it drills into trees and catches insects on the wing.
4. It migrates between breeding grounds in Colorado and wintering areas in Mexico.

Conservation measures aim to protect the red-naped sapsucker’s habitat in Colorado through sustainable forestry practices.

Williamson’s Sapsucker

I saw Williamson’s sapsuckers boring distinctive rows of holes in Colorado coniferous trees to nest and to feed on the sap. The woodpecker favors high elevation pine forests during breeding season. Males sport bold black stripes and a bright red throat.

Females lack the red throat patch. Sapsuckers drill sap wells in neat horizontal and vertical rows on tree trunks. They lap up the sap and catch insects also drawn to the sweet liquid. Sapsucker sap wells provide an important food source for other wildlife.

Breeding Habitat	Rocky Mountain pine forests
Nest Sites	Cavities excavated in coniferous trees
Diet	Tree sap, Cambium, Insects
Size	8.3-9.4 inches long
Wingspan	15-18 inches
Conservation Status	Least Concern

The striking Williamson’s sapsucker depends on healthy coniferous forests in Colorado’s mountain ranges.

Acorn Woodpecker

Though inconspicuous at first glance, a sly acorn woodpecker may mystify you with its curious habits if you’re lucky enough to spot this elusive bird in Colorado.

• Sociable birds with lively social behaviors
• Unique acorn storage patterns in trees
• Primarily eat insects and acorns
• Rarely observed in Colorado’s scattered oak woodlands
• Skillful excavators that chisel nest cavities in dead trees

Rarely venturing beyond their preferred oak habitats, acorn woodpeckers remain one of Colorado’s most intriguing birds to observe if you’re fortunate enough to cross paths with this charismatic species during its nomadic wanderings.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

You’ll occasionally see the red-bellied woodpecker when it travels to eastern Colorado, where it’s a common sight at feeders. Red-bellied woodpeckers prefer deciduous forests with dead trees for nesting cavities.

They primarily eat insects, fruits, nuts, and berries. Some migrate south for winter while others overwinter farther north. Nests are excavated in dead trees. Males have bold red heads and barred black and white wings.

How to Attract Woodpeckers to Your Yard in Colorado

Attracting woodpeckers to your Colorado backyard can be rewarding for any birdwatcher. Begin by utilizing a suet feeder specifically designed for clinging birds and leave dead trees standing to furnish natural nesting locations and food sources for these remarkable avian varieties.

Consider installing a nest box suited for woodpeckers if no natural cavities exist. Provide a shallow bird bath as woodpeckers enjoy drinking and bathing. Select a site with some trees or tall shrubs nearby for perching.

Woodpeckers feel safer with lookout posts where they can spot predators. Once woodpeckers find your habitat inviting, be patient. It may take them time to incorporate your yard into their territory. Enjoy observing their acrobatic antics and listening to their drumming as a reward for your efforts to attract these entertaining birds.

Use a Suet Feeder

Hang a recycled poly-lumber suet feeder to attract clinging and perching woodpeckers to your Colorado yard.

• Rendered beef suet
• High-energy suet formula
• Melt-resistant cakes

Suet feeders provide the essential fats and calories that woodpeckers need. Select durable models with tail props for larger birds. Offer suet cakes, which attract a variety of species with their high-energy ingredients.

Clean and refill suet feeders regularly to establish your yard as a dependable food source.

Preserve Dead Trees

Leave some dead trees standing for woodpeckers to nest and forage in. A decaying tree offers crucial habitat for wildlife. Snags provide food, shelter, nest sites. Fallen logs host insects, fungi – important nourishment for birds.

Natural decay recycles nutrients too. So, let dead trees be, don’t be too tidy. They form critical habitats for woodpeckers and more.

Provide Nest Boxes

Place a handcrafted birdhouse with appropriate dimensions on a pole or tree to invite nesting woodpeckers. Providing suitable nest boxes benefits woodpeckers by offering natural cavities amid habitat loss.

Tailor the entrance hole size and interior depth to target species. Ensure drainage and ventilation while discouraging predators. Position the boxes 10-20 feet high, facing south or east. Annual cleaning removes old nesting material, parasites, and debris.

Alternatively, install nest tubes or let dead trees stand. Ultimately, a well-designed nesting site draws breeding woodpeckers, enhancing backyard biodiversity through natural insect control.

Plant Native Fruit-Bearing Plants and Trees

Build a woodpecker haven by nurturing berries and fruits native to Colorado in your yard. Cherry, mountain ash, crabapple, hawthorn, dogwood, Juneberry, elderberry, serviceberry, and chokecherry trees bear fruits devoured by woodpeckers during late summer and autumn.

Also consider planting native mesquite, pistachio, and pecan trees that provide nuts when mature. Choose native over exotic plant species to provide essential calories for migrating and resident woodpeckers while promoting biodiversity through bird-friendly landscaping.

Install a Birdbath or Fountain

De-stress by providing a solar fountain for woodpeckers to cool off in your Colorado yard. The soothing sound of water will draw in a diverse array of birds beyond just woodpeckers. Choose a durable fountain with an easy-to-clean design that circulates water to prevent mosquitoes.

Position it in a sunny spot near vegetation as cover. Maintenance involves cleaning the fountain weekly and replacing water to keep it clean for visiting birds.

Rare Woodpeckers in Colorado

As a bird lover in Colorado, catching a glimpse of the acorn woodpecker with its signature white head would make your day. This species rarely ventures into the state since its highly specific habitat needs aren’t often found here.

Acorn woodpeckers thrive in oak woodlands where they can store acorns in uniquely crafted granary trees. Their range reaches only marginally into southeastern Colorado, where isolated pockets of suitable habitat exist.

Making the most of rare sightings provides treasured moments for avid birders. While acorn woodpeckers remain scarce in Colorado, dedicated conservation of fragile oak ecosystems could encourage the expansion of these intricate birds.

Appreciating rare woodpeckers like the acorn highlights the value of preserving specialized niches that support our state’s incredible biodiversity.

Control Methods for Woodpeckers

When woodpeckers cause damage to your property, there are several effective control methods to discourage them. Visual deterrents like aluminum foil strips, pinwheels, spider wire, and hawk kites can startle woodpeckers away, while loud noises from banging pots and pans or audio deterrents often scare them off.

Promptly repairing holes and damage while also installing nest boxes in preferable locations will help redirect their behavior.

Visual Deterrents

As an ornithology expert studying woodpecker behavior, I recommend deterring the birds by installing frightening visuals. Try hanging black plastic strips, pinwheels or reflective surfaces like mirrors near damaged areas.

The motion and flashing lights startle woodpeckers while preventing further destruction. Combining several visual frights of varying shapes, sizes and actions works best to scare woodpeckers away for good.

Sound Deterrents

You must bang pots and pans like thunder to scare those woodpeckers away. If the drumming persists, invest in ultrasonic devices that emit high-frequency sounds only birds hear. Reflective tape, decoy predators, vibrating bird repellents, and acoustic repellent systems also help deter woodpeckers through startling sounds.

Frightening combinations of moving visuals paired with startling noises work best to condition woodpeckers to avoid your property. Vary the sounds and locations to prevent habituation. With patience and persistence, you can train woodpeckers to leave without harming them.

Chemical Deterrents

Let’s avoid harming woodpeckers by using safer, more humane deterrents like visual scares instead of insecticides or wood preservatives. Although chemical repellents may seem an easy fix, their environmental impact is concerning.

In addition, costs accumulate over time. Seek natural solutions first. Investigate homemade deterrents such as black pepper and capsaicin sprays. With some ingenuity, we can discover bird-friendly options to prevent woodpeckers from damaging property.

Nest Boxes

Using appropriate nest boxes with specific features can successfully provide alternative nest sites and draw woodpeckers away from damaged areas of the home. 1) Place nest boxes 10-30 feet high on tree trunks facing east or southeast. 2) Clean out old nesting materials in fall and winter.

3) Use untreated wood at least 3/4 inch thick with a side entrance hole 1.5-2 inches in diameter. Nest boxes can effectively lure woodpeckers to a new nesting location away from your home’s exterior.

Prompt Repair of Holes

Why prolong the issue when a prompt repair of holes deters woodpeckers from dwelling, as the early bird gets the worm? Once a woodpecker inflicts damage, take prompt preventive measures. Cover exposed holes using hardware cloth or wood sections cut to fit snugly. Apply flexible caulk or wood filler around restored areas for an impermeable seal, then paint or stain matched to existing surfaces.

With prompt hole restoration and ongoing property maintenance, you safeguard against invasive pests and preserve your home’s integrity.