The woodpeckers family members are found almost worldwide. Most species live in forests or woodland habitats, although a few species are known to live in treeless areas such as rocky hillsides and deserts. They range in size from 8-50cm. Many species exhibit patches of red and yellow on their heads and bellies, and these bright areas are important in signalling. Although the sexes of Picidae species tend to look alike, many have more prominent red or yellow head markings in males than in females.

Members of the family Picidae have strong bills for drilling and drumming on trees and long sticky tongues for extracting food. Species that use their bills in soil or for probing as opposed to regular hammering tend to have longer and more decurved bills. To prevent brain damage from the rapid and repeated decelerations, woodpeckers have evolved a number of adaptations to protect the brain. These include small brain size and the short duration of contact. The millisecond before contact with wood a thickened membrane closes, protecting the eye from flying debris. The nostrils are also protected; they are often slit-like and have special feathers to cover them. In addition to the strong claws and feet woodpeckers have short strong legs, this is typical of birds that regularly forage on trunks. The tails of most woodpeckers are stiffened, and when the bird perches on vertical surfaces, the tail and feet work together to support it. Picidae species can either be sedentary or migratory. [abstracted from Wikipedia]


Genus Campephilus
The name means "lover of grubs". For similarly appearing woodpeckers, see Chrysocolaptes and also Dryocopus.

Woodpecker, Crimson-crested  Campephilus melanoleucos  Found: South America
Photographed by: Cláudio Timm - the Amazon, Brazil


Woodpecker, Pale-billed  Campephilus guatemalensis  Found: Central America
Photographed by: Alexsf007 - Cayo, Belize


Woodpecker, Robust  Campephilus robustus  Found: South America
Photographed by: Cláudio Timm - Santa Catarina, Brazil



Genus Campethera

Woodpecker, Golden-tailed  Campethera abingoni   Found: Africa
Photographed by: 1) Alastair Rae  2) Arno Meintjes


Woodpecker , Nubian  Campethera nubica  Found: Africa
Photographed by:  1) Brad Schram - Samburu National Reserve  



Genus Chrysocolaptes
For similarly appearing woodpeckers, see Campephilus and also Dryocopus.

Flameback, Greater  Chrysocolaptes lucidus  Found: Asia
Photographed by: JJ Harrison - Thailand



Genus Colpates
Colpates includes the flicker. These woodpeckers are found more often on the ground than most other woodpeckers. Genus Picus can be considered to be their Old World counterparts.

Woodpecker, Black-necked  Colaptes atricollis   Found: Peru, Argentina (infrequent)
Photographed by Charlie Westerinen - the Buenos Aires reserve, Argentina


Flicker, Campo   Colaptes campestris  Found: South America
Photographed by:  1) Dario Sanches - Brazil 2) Wagner Lemes   3, 4, 5) Cláudio Timm in Tacuarembó, Uruguay
1, 2) Male  3, 4) Female 5) Juvenile



Flicker, Field Colaptes campestroides  Found: South America

Photographed by: Lip Kee Yap



Flicker, Northern Colpates auratus   Found: North America and Central America
Photographed by:    1) Dick Daniels - North Carolina     2, 3, 4, 5) Elaine R Wilson and Alan D Wilson in Oregon and British Columbia
 1) Yellow-shafted (eastern)   4 - 7) Red-shafted (western)  
2, 3) Male has red under chin  4, 5) Female does not have red nape crescent
 


Woodpecker, Golden-olive  Colaptes rubiginosus  Found: Central and South America
Photographed by 1) New Jersy Birds  2) KaleFerguson  3) Dominic Sherony


Woodpecker, Green-barred  Colaptes melanochloros  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1) Cláudio Timm - Santa Tereza Park, Uruguay  2, 3) Dario Sanches - Brazil 
    4) Charlie Westerinen - Buenos Aires, Argentina



Genus Dendrocopos

Woodpecker, Great Spotted  Dendrocopos major  Found: Europe, Asia
Photographed by:   1) Slawomir Staszczuk   2) Andre Chatroux  3) Frank Vassen - Poland  4) Wojsyl 


Woodpecker, Middle-spotted  Dendrocopos medius  Found: Europe, Asia
Photographed by: 1) Frank Vassen - Poland  2) Marek Szczepanek


Woodpecker, Pygmy  Dendrocopos kizuki  Found: Asia
Photographed by Alastair Rae


Woodpecker, Syrian  Dendrocopos syriacus  Found: Europe, southwest Asia
Photographed by: Ofer Faigon - Jerusalem, Israel


Woodpecker, White-backed  Dendrocopos leucotos  Found: Europe, Asia
Photographed by Alastair Rae - Estonia
1) Male



Genus Dendropicos

Woodpecker, Bearded  Dendropicos namaquus  Found: Africa
Photographed by: 1) Jerry Oldenettle   2) Carol Foil - Rift Valley, Kenya


Woodpecker, Cardinal  Dendropicos fuscescens  Found: Africa
Photographed by: 1) Alan Manson   2) Hans Hillewaert - near Lusaka, Zambia 
    3) Charlie Westerinen  4) Carol Foil - Buffalo Spring Reserve, Samburu District
1, 2, 3) Male



Genus Dinopium

Flameback, Black-rumped  aka  Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker  Dinopium benghalense  Found: South Asia
Photographed by Challiyil Vipi - India


Flameback, Common  Coracina macei  Found: Asia
Photographed by:  1) Bhardwaj Shanthanu - Keerampara, Kerala, India  2) Johnny Wee



Genus Dryocopus
These are large powerful woodpecks, usually with a black back and red on the head. In their quest for insects, as well as for rearing their young, they chip out large hoes in trees. For similarly appearing woodpeckers, see Campephilus and Chrysocolaptes.

Woodpecker, Black  Dryocopus martius  Found: Europe, Asia
Photographed by: Alastair Rae - Finland


Woodpecker, Lineated  Dryocopus lineatus  Found: Central America and South America
Photographed by:  1, 2, 3) Dario Sanches - Brazil


Woodpecker, Pileated Dryocopus pileatus Found: North America
Photographed by:   1, 2, 3, 7) Dick Daniels - Ash, North Carolina   4) Dick - Sandwich, New Hampshire
    5, 6) Alan D Wilson - Black Creek, British Columbia
1, 2, 3) Female (black stripe above chin)  4, 5, 6) Male (red stripe above chin)




Genus Jynx

Wryneck, Eurasian   Jynx torquilla  Found: Europe, Asia, Africa
Photographed by: Martien Brand - Netherlands


Wryneck, Rufous-necked  aka  Red-throated Wryneck  Jynx ruficollis  Found: Africa
Photographed by: 1, 2) Carol Foil - Rift Valley, Kenya



Genus Lepidocolaptes

Woodpecker, Narrow-billed  Lepidocolaptes angustirostris  Found: South America
Photographed by:  1) Dario Sanches - Brazil  2) Rodrigo Jesus Melo 3) Lip Kee Yap



Genus Melanerpes
Their name means "black creeper". They are new world woodpeckers.

Woodpecker, Acorn Melanerpes formicivorus Found: North America (southwest) and Central America
Photographed by: 1) New Jersy Birds   2) Dick Daniels - California
  3) Alan D Wilson - Santa Rita Lodge, Madera Canyon, Near Green Valley, Arizona  4) Kevin Cole


Woodpecker, Black-cheeked Melanerpes pucherani  Found: Central and South America
Photographed by:  1, 2) Jerry Oldenettel - Costa Rica 


Woodpecker, Gila  Melanerpes uropygialis  Found: North America
Photographed by: 1) Mike and Chris  2) Dick Daniels - the North Carolina Zoo 
    3) Alan D Wilson - Cabin Lake Viewing Blinds, Deschutes National Forest, Near Fort Rock, Oregon


Woodpecker, Golden-checked  Melanerpes chrysogenys  Endemic to Mexico 
Photographed by: Len Blumin in San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico


Woodpecker, Golden-fronted Melanerpes aurifrons   Found: North America
Photographed: www.naturespicsonline.com


Woodpecker, Hoffman's  Melanerpes hoffmannii  Found: Central America
Photographed by:  1) Len Blumin - Manzanillo, Puntarenas, Costa Rica  2) Jerry Oldenettel - Costa Rica


Woodpecker, Jamaican  Melanerpes radiolatus  Found: Jamaica
Photographed by: Dick Daniels - Rockland Feeding Station, Jamaica


Woodpecker, Lewis's  Melanerpes lewis  Found: North America
Photographed by: 1) Len Blumin
   2, 3) Alan D Wilson - Cabin Lake Viewing Blinds, Deschutes National Forest, Near Fort Rock, Oregon
   4) Charlie Westerinen - the Klamath River in Northern CA


Woodpecker, Puerto Rican   Melanerpes portoricensis    Endemic to Puerto Rico
Photographed by Dick Daniels - Puerto Rico


Woodpecker, Red-bellied Melanerpes carolinus   Found: North America
Photographed by: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) Dick Daniels - North Carolina



Woodpecker, Red-crowned  Melanerpes rubricapillus  Found:South America 
Photographed by: 1) Shawnna Porter  2) Thomas Junier
1) Male  2) Female


Woodpecker, Red-headed Melanerpes erythrocephalus   Found: North America
Photographed by: 1, 2, 3) Dick Daniels - North Carolina


Woodpecker, West Indian  Melanerpes superciliaris  Found: Caribbean
Photographed by: 1) Dominic Sherony  2, 3) Blake Maybank - Cuba


Woodpecker, White  Melanerpes candidus  Found: South America
Photographed by:  1, 2) Dario Sanches - Brazil  3,4) Cláudio Timm - Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
4) Female


Woodpecker, Yellow-fronted  Melanerpes flavifrons  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1) Dario Sanches - Brazil  2) Thunderdc



Genus Picoides
Birds in this genus are found mainly in North America

Woodpecker, Arizona  Picoides arizonae  Found: North America
Photographed by: 1, 3) www.naturespicsonline.com  2)  New Jersy Birds
|1, 2) Male  3)


Woodpecker, Downy Picoides pubescens   Found: North America

Photographed by: 1) Dick Daniels - North Carolina    4) Dick - Maryland
     2, 3) Alan D Wilson - Black Creek, Northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia
 1, 2) Female   3, 4) Male


Woodpecker, Hairy Picoides villosus   Found: North America and Central America
Photographed by: 1) Alan D Wilson near Fort Rock, Oregon  2, 3) Dick Daniels - Palmer, Alsaka  4) Ted Grussing - Arizona
1) Female  2, 3, 4) Male


Woodpecker, Ladder-backed  Picoides scalaris  Found: North America
Photographed by: 1, 2) Alan D Wilson - the Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix, Arizona
1) Male  2) Female


Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted  Picoides minor  Found: Europe, Asia
Photographed by: 1) Zaltys - Finland  2) Andrze Luczak   3) Thermos - Finland


Woodpecker, Nuttall's Picoides nuttallii Found: North America
Photographed by:  1, 2) New Jersy Birds  3) Charlie Westerinen - Sonoma, California  4) Len Blumin - Gallinas, San Rafael
1) Female  2, 3, 4) Male


Woodpecker, Red-cockaded   Picoides borealis    Found: North America
Photographed by:  1) Matthew K Hacker   2) US Army


Woodpecker, (American) Three-toed  Picoides dorsalis  Found: North America
Photographed by: 1) Pbonefant   2, 3) Dick Daniels - Palmer, Alaska
1, 2, 3) Male


Woodpecker, (Eurasian) Three-toed  Picoides tridactylus   Found: Europe, Asia
Photographed by:  1) Tatiana Bulyonkova - Iskitimsky, Novosibirskaya Oblast, Russia  2, 3) SergeyYeliseev - Moscow, Russian
1) Female  2, 3) Male


Woodpecker, White-headed  Picoides albolarvatus  Found: western mountains of North America
Photographed by: Alan D Wilson - Cabin Lake Viewing Blinds, Deschutes National Forest, Near Fort Rock, Oregon



Genus Piculus

Woodpecker, Rufous-winged  Piculus simplex  Found: Central America
Photographed by: 1) Jerry Oldenettel - Costa Rica


Woodpecker, Yellow-browed  Piculus aurulentus  Found: South America
Photographed by: Cláudio Timm - Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil



Genus Picumnus

Piculet, Mottled Picumnus temminckii  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1, 2) Cláudio Timm - Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
1, 2) Male


Piculet, Ochre-collared  Picumnus temminckii  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1, 2, 3) Dario Sanches - Brazil


Piculet, White-barred   Picumnus cirratus  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1, 2)   Cláudio Timm - Paraná River border, Argentina,



Genus Picus
The Picus typically have green upperparts. Genus Colaptes can be considered to be their New World counterparts.

Woodpecker, Green  Picus viridis  Found: Europe, Asia
Photographed by:  1) Thomas Kraft  2) OhWeh  3) Roger Sanderson 
1, 2) Juvenile  3) Female 


Woodpecker, Grey-headed  Picus canus  Found: Europe, Asia
Photographed/Drawn by: 1) Magnus von Wright  2) Frank Vassen in Poland  3) Alastair Rae



Genus Sphyrapicus
The Sapsuckers are found in North America.

Sapsucker, Red-naped Sphyrapicus nuchalis Found: North America
Photographed by: 1) Josh Henderson  2) Matt MacGillivray - Alberta, Canada  3) Alan D Wilson - Nature Trail, Logan Lake, British Columbia


Sapsucker, Williamson's  Sphyrapicus thyroideus  Found: North America
Photographed by Charlie Westerinen near Carson Pass, CA at 9000'
1) Female


Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied Sphyrapicus varius   Found: North America and Central America
Photographed by:   1) Dominic Sherony  2, 3) Dick Daniels - Ash,North Carolina



Genus Veniliornis

Woodpecker, Little  Veniliornis passerinus  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1, 2, 3) Cláudio Timm - Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
1) Male  2, 3) Female


Woodpecker, White-spotted  Veniliornis spilogaster  Found: South America
Photographed by: 1) Dario Sanches - Brazil  2, 3) Cláudio Timm - Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
1, 2) Male  3) Female



Genus Xiphidiopicus - 1 species

Woodpecker, Cuban Green  Xiphidiopicus percussus  Found: Cuba
Photographed by: 1) Tony Tea  2) Laura Gooch   3) Dominic Sherony  4) David Edwards - Ciego de Avila, Cuba 
   2) Female