Knock, Knock. Who’s There?

Red-breasted Sapsucker | Mick Thompson | Audubon Photography Awards

by Carol Roll, Development Director

Have you ever come across a tree and seen a distinctly “woodpecker” looking hole, and wondered, I wonder what made that? Or more specifically, what kind of woodpecker made that? 

A woodpecker drills on trees (and sometimes your chimney cap, utility pole, wooden siding, metal roof) for several reasons. First, woodpeckers use their drumming for communication. Males produce a distinct pattern of knocks, along with calls to attract females and establish their territory to other males. Second, to find food. The wood isn’t the food, but rather the insects and larvae found under the bark or in small cervices. Lastly, more large-scale, concentrated drilling may be a sign the woodpecker is excavating a nesting area. 

Our area is home to several woodpecker species, thanks in part to our diverse tree canopy. Each species has distinct beak and tongue anatomy, diet, and size, which in turn, result in different tree drilling methods. While it may just look like a hole at first glance, the size, depth, and type of tree the hole is drilled into can reveal quite a bit about the species that made it.  

So, what woodpecker do you think made these holes? (Make your guess, and check your answers below.) 

Get to know our local woodpeckers and their wood-drilling style:  

Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) 

The Pileated Woodpecker is a charismatic and sizable bird, often recognized by its striking red crest and large size. With a wingspan of up to 30 inches, it’s the largest woodpecker in the Seattle area. Pileated Woodpeckers have a powerful bill and a long, barbed tongue that can extend up to four inches beyond the tip of their bill. This long tongue, combined with sticky saliva, helps them extract insects from deep crevices in a tree. 

When it comes to drilling holes, Pileated Woodpeckers are known for their rectangular excavations. They create these distinctive rectangular holes in search of ants and beetle larvae. The strong, chisel-like bill of the Pileated Woodpecker allows it to efficiently chip away at the wood, creating openings that reveal the insects hiding within. 

Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus ruber) 

The Red-breasted Sapsucker, with its vibrant red throat and crown, is a unique woodpecker species found in the Seattle area. Unlike other woodpeckers that primarily focus on insects, the red-breasted sap sucker prefers sap. Using its specialized bill, it drills rows of shallow holes in tree bark called sap wells, causing sap to flow out. The sap sucker then returns later to feed on the sap as well as the insects attracted to it. 

The holes created by Red-breasted Sapsuckers are neatly organized in horizontal and vertical rows. These sap wells serve not only as a food source for the woodpecker but also attract other birds, insects, and mammals that benefit from the sugary substance, making them a keystone species important to the survival of many other species. 

Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) 

The Hairy Woodpecker, often confused with the smaller Downy Woodpecker, is a common sight in the Seattle area. With its black and white plumage and a long, sturdy bill, the hairy woodpecker is well-adapted for its drilling activities. These woodpeckers are generalists, feeding on a variety of insects, seeds, and berries. 

Hairy Woodpeckers create holes that are typically round or oval. Their strong bills enable them to drill into both hardwood and softwood trees. These holes are crucial for accessing insect larvae and are also used to store food during harsh winter months. 

Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 

The Downy Woodpecker, the smallest woodpecker in the Seattle area, is easily recognizable by its small size and distinctive black and white plumage. Despite its petite stature, the downy woodpecker is an adept tree driller. Its bill may be small, but it is strong and well-suited for extracting insects from tree bark. 

Downy Woodpeckers create holes that are often smaller and shallower than those of their larger relatives. These holes are essential for finding insects hiding in the tree’s crevices. Downy Woodpeckers are known for drumming on metal surfaces, creating rhythmic patterns to communicate with other woodpeckers. 

Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 

The Northern Flicker is our most common local woodpecker. With its spotted plumage and distinctive red nape, the Northern Flicker is easily identified. Unlike other woodpeckers, Northern Flickers feed primarily on the ground, using their long, barbed tongues to extract ants and beetles from the soil. 

When it comes to creating holes, Northern Flickers are unique. Rather than drilling into trees, they often excavate holes in the ground for nesting. However, they do use trees for drumming, producing loud sounds to communicate during the breeding season. 

Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) 

While the Acorn Woodpecker is not common in the Seattle area, occasional sightings have been reported by birdwatchers. These rare visits might be attributed to factors such as seasonal movements, favorable weather conditions, or changes in food availability.  

Acorn Woodpeckers are known for their communal living arrangements and cooperative breeding behaviors. Acorn Woodpeckers work together to drill rows of holes and then meticulously arrange their acorns in the holes, serving as a food storage unit called a granary. The communal effort in creating and maintaining granary trees is a testament to the social structure and cooperative nature of these fascinating birds.  

The next time you find yourself in a Seattle park or wooded area, keep an eye out for their varied drill marks in tree trunks, or your ear out for their rhythmic knocking as they forage, excavate, and communicate.  

And remember, if you enjoy seeing woodpeckers in your neighborhood, thank the trees—both living and dead—that provide habitat to sustain woodpeckers. Birds Connect Seattle advocates for our urban tree canopy through our participation in the Urban Forestry Commission, as well as the Seattle Tree Canopy Network. We encourage you to advocate for equitable tree canopy policy in our local area.  

Woodpecker hole quiz: 
1. Red-breasted Sapsucker, photo by Mick Thompson 
2. Pileated Woodpecker, photo by Sylvia Hunt 
3. Downey Woodpecker, photo by Thom-Voisinet 
4. Acorn Woodpecker, photo by Sarah Blodgett 

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