13 Types of Woodpeckers in Alberta (with Pictures) (2023)


Pileated Woodpecker — Edmonton & Area Land Trust

Woodpeckers in Alberta possess an incredible sense of hearing, allowing them to detect insects and larvae moving within trees. With a total of 13 different species in the province, Alberta provides a diverse habitat for these unique birds. Of those 13 species, 6 are regularly found in Alberta's woods and forests, while the remaining 7 are.


woodpeckers Archives Birds Calgary

Alberta is rich in woodpeckers, from common backyard visitors like the little downy woodpecker to the crow-sized pileated woodpecker with its flaming crest and manic voice. But there are a couple of interesting species that often get overlooked. Read More. Grebes of North America and Alberta.


Woodpecker in the Snow, from last winter taken in Alberta. Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker; In Alberta, the Downy Woodpecker is the most spotted woodpecker species, and it resides in the province year-round. They sport a black and white pattern, most of which is black. The males are distinctive due to a red spot on the back of their heads. They are of average size measuring 14-17 cm long with a wingspan of 25-30 cm.


Pileated Woodpecker Alberta Juveniles at nest, Banff Nat… Flickr

Hairy Woodpeckers are common birds in Alberta in mature forests, suburban backyards, urban parks, swamps, orchards, and even cemeteries. Honestly, they can be found anywhere where large trees are abundant. RELATED: The 8 Woodpecker Species That Live in Alberta! (ID Guide)


13 Types of Woodpeckers in Alberta (with Pictures) (2023)

The great horned owl is the provincial bird of Alberta. The Canadian province of Alberta is a landlocked province within Canada, bordered by British Colombia to the west,. Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues used for capturing insects..


Woodpeckers of the Boreal Forest Bird Canada

Jan. Posted by Bob Lefebvre. Fish Creek Park is a great place to find woodpeckers. In the winter, there are up to six species that can be found there: Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, American Three-toed Woodpecker, and Black-backed Woodpecker. Flickers are migratory but there are always some around in.


Everything You Need to Know About Woodpeckers in Alberta Bird Advisors

The nest hole of a Pileated Woodpecker is a large oval, usually high in a dead tree, or occasionally in a power pole (as seen in Griffith Woods Park). The male will make a new nest hole each year. Below are more of Tony's photos of Pileated Woodpeckers in Calgary. Pileated Woodpecker (female), Fish Creek Park, January 31, 2016.


Pileated Woodpecker Elk Island National Park, Alberta, Canada 7/9/13

No other woodpecker in Alberta makes you stop in your tracks like a Pileated Woodpecker. These birds are HUGE; adults can be up to 19 inches (48 cm) long and have a wingspan of 30 inches (76 cm). For reference, this is about the size of a crow. Pileated Woodpecker Range Map .


Photo by John PIzniur in Alberta, Canada (notice the pileated

Meet the Northern Flicker! Despite being classified as a woodpecker, don't be surprised if you startle a northern flicker up from the ground on your next hike! These striking auburn birds use their specialized beaks to dig up dirt and a 2-inch long tongue, which wraps around the flicker's skull when retracted, to extract insects and larvae.


American Threetoed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis), BrownLowery

Pileated Woodpeckers are found throughout most of Alberta, in forested regions. They live in mature forest and young forests which are scattered with a supply of large dead trees. You can find these woodpeckers right in Edmonton's river valley! Pileated Woodpeckers are residents and do not migrate in the winter.


Woodpecker Banff Alberta Canada Woodpecker Banff Alberta C… Flickr

The nest hole of a Pileated Woodpecker is a large oval, usually high in a dead tree, or occasionally in a power pole (as seen in Griffith Woods Park). The male will make a new nest hole each year. Below are more of Tony's photos of Pileated Woodpeckers in Calgary. Pileated Woodpecker (female), Fish Creek Park, January 31, 2016.


Pileated woodpecker in Alberta, Canada. Photo by John Pizniur. Nature

1. Downy Woodpecker. All year long, you can spot a Downy Woodpecker in Alberta's parks and woods. During the winter months, they are the most commonly seen woodpecker in Alberta, showing up on 37% of birders' checklists. They are included in 11% of summertime checklists. The Downy Woodpecker's pattern consists of black and white colors.


13 Types of Woodpeckers in Alberta (with Pictures) (2023)

Downy and hairy woodpeckers are two of six species of woodpecker found in Alberta. All of our woodpeckers, except the flicker, are black and white, but the downy and hairy have white as well as black on their backs and the males have a red patch on the head. The two species look very similar but with practice you can easily distinguish them by.


Pileated Woodpecker, Warburg, Alberta YouTube

Woodpeckers are heavy bodied and have moderately long, rather rounded wings, and round or wedge-shaped tails. The chisel-shaped bill is strong and usually straight. Nostrils are hidden under tufts of bristlelike feathers. Usually, legs are short and strong with 2 toes in front and 2 behind. A few species (2 occur in Canada) have 3 toes, 2 in.


How to identify and differentiate Alberta's 13 unique woodpecker

The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest species of woodpecker in North America, and can be found right here in Alberta. At our Boisvert's GreenWoods Conservation Lands, a nesting pair can be found. Woodpeckers announce their territory by rapidly drumming on trees. The particular noises they make can also help in identifying the species of.


13 Types of Woodpeckers in Alberta (with Pictures) (2023)

The Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) is one of the most common woodpeckers found in Alberta. It is a small-sized woodpecker, measuring around 5 to 6 inches in length, with a wingspan of approximately 9 to 11 inches. This species features a black and white patterned plumage, with a white undersi de and black wings adorned with white dots.