Do Woodpeckers in Ohio Migrate?

Author: Tammy Poppie
Updated:
Reviewed by:
Yellow-bellied sapsucker climbing side of tree

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Do Woodpeckers in Ohio Migrate?

Author: Tammy Poppie
Updated:
Reviewed by:
Yellow-bellied sapsucker climbing side of tree

This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you buy after clicking on our links.

There are seven woodpecker species in Ohio, but only three are migrators. In this article, I’ll reveal those three woodpecker species that migrate as well as the ones that don’t.

For each migrating woodpecker, I included photos and descriptions to help you identify them, diet and habitat information so you can tell if you’re surrounded by an area where they might live, feeder food they love so you can entice them to your yard, and details of their migration behavior so you know when they’re expected to be where. Lastly, you’ll find range maps illustrating their exact locations so you know which ones to keep an eye out for.

Why Woodpeckers Migrate

Like many other wild birds, some woodpecker species migrate twice a year. According to World Migratory Bird Day, the reason birds migrate is “to find the best ecological conditions and habitats for feeding, breeding, and raising their young”.

Scientists believe birds may also migrate due to genetic predisposition or a genetically driven urge to migrate.

Birds migrate to find the best ecological conditions and habitats for feeding, breeding, and raising their young.

World Migratory Bird Day

Ohio Woodpeckers that Migrate

The three Ohio woodpecker species that migrate are listed below followed by photos, descriptions, diet, feeder food, habitat, and detailed migration information.

By the way, sapsuckers and flickers are part of the woodpecker family.

  1. Northern Flicker
  2. Red-Headed Woodpecker
  3. Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

1. Northern Flicker

Red-shafted northern flicker
Red-shafted northern flicker. Photo by Kathy Overfield.
Northern flicker
Yellow-shafted northern flicker. Photo by Mike Carmo.

Appearance: A large bird about 12.5″ long. They have brown backs with black bars, a black crescent on the upper chest, and white with black spots on the belly and underparts.
• In the eastern part of their range, they are referred to as “yellow-shafted northern flickers” and have bright yellow underwings and undertail. They have a gray crown, tan face, and a red patch on the nape. The male has a black swipe on his cheek, the female does not.
• In the western part of their range, they are referred to as “red-shafted northern flickers” and have pink underwings and undertail, brown crown, gray face, and crown & nape are brown. The male has a red swipe on his cheek, the female does not

Diet: Insects, especially ants.

Feeder food: Black-oil sunflower seed, hulled sunflower seed, safflower, suet, cracked corn, peanuts, peanut hearts, and millet.

Habitat: Open areas near trees.

Migration: Many northern flickers make Ohio their home year-round while others do in fact migrate. In the spring, some will remain in Ohio to breed while many others migrate north to raise their young – but only for a season. Then in the fall, the migrators head back south to Ohio for the winter.

Scientists believe the timing and duration of their migration from the breeding range to their winter range are dependent on the weather. For those that do migrate, they generally do so at night and travel in large but loose flocks of up to 100 or so birds.

Range Map

Northern flicker range map
Northern flicker range map. Compliments of The Cornell Lab.

2. Red-Headed Woodpecker

red-headed woodpecker
Red-headed woodpecker. Photo by Shawn Conlon

Appearance: Red-headed woodpeckers are medium-sized birds about 9″ long with a red head, black back, white rump, chest, and belly. Also has white patches on its wings, black tail, and gray legs and bill. The female is the same as the male.

Diet: Insects, fruit, nuts, and seeds.

Feeder food: Suet and hulled peanuts.

Habitat: During the breeding season, they prefer open woodlands especially when ample deciduous trees are present, as well as short-grass meadows, pastures, or even golf courses. In the winter they can be found in tall grass prairies with plenty of oak trees and anywhere a mass of acorn crops are present.

Migration: Some, but not all, red-headed woodpeckers are migrators. While some red-headed woodpeckers remain in Ohio to breed, many others migrate northwest and north – as far north as southern portions of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canada, and as far west as central Montana to raise their young in the spring and summer.

Then in the fall, those that went north to breed migrated back to Ohio. It’s highly likely they remain in Ohio for the winter. The winter movement is highly dependent on acorn supplies. When in abundance, they may not migrate from their year-round range at all.

Range Map

Red-headed woodpecker  range map.
Red-headed woodpecker range map. Compliments of The Cornell Lab.

3. Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

yellow bellied sapsucker climbing up a tree
Yellow-bellied sapsucker. Photo by Jas

Appearance: Small bird about 8-9″ long with a checkered back. They have a red forehead, crown, and chin. The chest and belly are tan to yellow and have white wing patches. The Female is similar except she has a white marking on her chin.

Diet: Berries and fruit, bast (inner bark of a tree), few insects.

Feeder food: Suet.

Habitat: They prefer densely wooded areas with living trees (most woodpeckers prefer dead trees).

Migration: Yellow-bellied sapsuckers are true migrators that don’t have a year-round home.

Right around mid-September through October, they migrate south for the winter and some spend the season in the far southwest corner of Ohio. If you don’t live in that part of the state, fret not! Have suet available in your yard and keep your eyes open for migrating sapsuckers. You may catch a glimpse of them flying south as they pass through to warmer climates, or maybe they’ll rest for a day and snack at your suet feeder. How exciting would that be?

Then around the April-early May timeframe, they begin their migration north in search of ideal nesting conditions. Again, watch as they migrate through Ohio to reach the northern states and provinces.

Range Map

Yellow-bellied sapsucker range map.
Yellow-bellied sapsucker range map. Compliments of The Cornell Lab.

Ohio Woodpeckers that Don’t Migrate

We explored the three woodpecker species that are migrators. Now it’s time to know the four Ohio woodpeckers that do not migrate. They remain in their year-round range all seasons of the year or if they do move, it’s a very short distance such as a few miles.

  1. Hairy Woodpecker
  2. Pileated Woodpecker
  3. Downy Woodpecker
  4. Red-Bellied Woodpecker

In Conclusion

Ohio woodpeckers are an interesting bunch. Some are called woodpeckers, some sapsuckers, and others flickers – but they’re all part of the same family.

Most woodpeckers don’t migrate but three species do. They include the northern flicker, the red-headed woodpecker, and the yellow-bellied sapsucker.

Among the three migrators, all but one have a year-round range in which many of the population remains for all four seasons, yet some of them migrate for spring and fall.

As widespread as woodpeckers are, all Ohioans should be able to enjoy them wherever they are in the state.

Hope you enjoyed it. Happy birding!

More than 25 years ago, Tammy put her first bird feeder outside her kitchen window. Since then she learned how to attract wild birds to her backyard. Studying the meaning & symbolism of wild birds is also a passion of hers. Read more about Tammy