Woodpecker Watching in Oregon

Woodpeckers are a large family of birds that are found in most regions of the world, and several species are commonly found in Oregon. The Downy Woodpecker and the Northern Flicker are especially common, while the Red-breasted Sapsucker, the Hairy Woodpecker, and the Pileated Woodpecker are found in smaller numbers in the state.The variety of woodpeckers and members of this family make it hard to generalize, but most of the ones found in Oregon will nest and feed in heavily wooded areas. They come in various colors and sizes, but all of these feed primarily on insects and grubs, often after noisily boring a hole in a tree to get at them. They don't always need to peck to find food, so this isn't necessarily the key to finding them.

Habitats for Woodpeckers

Some woodpeckers are anti-social and spend their time alone, while others live in groups, so it's best to look into the specific member of the family you are interested in. Generally they all sleep at night in cavities they find or make in trees, and spend days searching for insects in nearby trees.

Best seasons to see Woodpeckers in Oregon

The woodpeckers found in Oregon tend to be non-migratory, so they are found in equal numbers all year round. The Downy Woodpecker and the Northern Flicker are the easiest to spot, while the others are classified as uncommon so spotting them can be unpredictable.

Woodpeckers in Oregon summary

Typical habitat: Normally in trees, but the Northern Flicker also feeds on the ground
Seasons: Similar numbers are found all year round
Abundance: Some members of the family are far more common than others

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