Woodpeckers
Montana has 12 species of woodpeckers and/or sapsuckers.
American Three-toed Woodpecker
Size: 8 1/2 inches (22cm)
Habitat: Coniferous forest with standing deadwood
Season: Year round; very uncommon
Black-backed Woodpecker
Size: 9 1/2 inches (24cm)
Habitat: Coniferous forest with standing deadwood
Season: Year round; very uncommon; species of concern in Montana
Downy Woodpecker
Size: 6 1/2 inches (17cm)
Habitat: Forests, weedy fields
Season: Year round; fairly common
ID hint: Bill is shorter than length of head
Hairy Woodpecker
Size: 9 inches (23cm)
Habitat: Forests, woodlots, neighborhoods
Season: Year round; fairly common
ID hint: Bill is longer than length of head
Northern Flicker
Size: 12 inches (30cm)
Habitat: Almost anywhere, ground feeder
Season: year round; common
Lewis’s Woodpecker
Size: 10-11 inches (25-25cm)
Habitat: Ponderosa forests, burned areas
Season: Warmer months; very uncommon; species of concern in Montana.
Pileated Woodpecker
Size: 16-17 inches (41-44cm)
Habitat: Forests, all types
Season: Year round; uncommon; species of concern in Montana.
Red-naped Sapsucker
Size: 8 1/2 inches (22cm)
Habitat: Mixed forests, very fond of Aspen groves
Season: Warmer months; uncommon
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Size: 8-9 inches (22-23cm)
Habitat: Mixed coniferous woods and forests
Season: Warmer months; uncommon
Williamson’s Sapsucker
Size: 9 inches (23cm)
Habitat: Mixed coniferous woods and forests
Season: Warmer months; uncommon