Woodpeckers, belonging to the family Piciformes, are invaluable assistants to foresters and forestry agencies worldwide. They are known for hunting pests that damage trees, such as longhorn beetles and termites. Therefore, woodpeckers are sometimes jokingly referred to as "tree doctors." However, sometimes woodpeckers may over-peck, causing damage to trees, leading to malnutrition, and ultimately, death.
There are over 200 species of woodpeckers worldwide, exhibiting diverse characteristics and behaviors in different regions. Opinions vary on which species is the most beautiful.
Some people consider the Rainbow Woodpecker to be the most fascinating woodpecker because of its colorful plumage that shimmers in the sunlight, creating a breathtaking sight.
Meanwhile, some people regard the Venus Woodpecker as the "fashion icon" of the woodpecker world, whose unique appearance and posture attract the attention of many viewers.
Regardless of the species, the beauty and wonder of woodpeckers inspire curiosity and awe in people. Woodpeckers play a vital role in natural ecosystems, protecting the health of trees and showcasing their diverse appearances and habits. Today, we present 10 of the world's most beautiful woodpeckers, including: Brown-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flutter-winged Pitta, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blue-throated Barbet, White-backed Woodpecker, Great Barbet, and Downy Woodpecker. Which one is your favorite?
1. Brown-bellied Woodpecker (brightly colored)
The Brown-bellied Woodpecker is a relatively common species among the top ten most beautiful woodpeckers, boasting vibrant plumage. Its crown and neck are deep red, while its back features black and white horizontal stripes. The center of its tail feathers to its rump are black, with the outer pair being white with black horizontal stripes. The eye stripe and chin are white, while the underparts are mostly pale ochre, with only the undertail coverts being pink. The lesser wing coverts are black, and the rest of the wings are mostly black with white spots, while the inner tertiaries have white horizontal stripes. In contrast, the female's crown is more complex, displaying a black and white pattern.
2. Northern Flying Winged Pitta (distinct colors/sturdy body)
The Northern Flutter-winged Pitta is often considered one of the most captivating woodpeckers in North America, boasting a striking appearance and unique characteristics. They possess a sturdy, compact body, a rounded small head, and a long, tapering tail, complemented by a strong, downward-curving beak. The area around and lores of their eyes is white, their face is covered in downy feathers, their cheeks are pink, and their neck and upper chest display bright patches of white, black, yellow, or red. Black or white spots adorn their chin and throat, while males may display beard-like black or red markings. Overall, their plumage is highly variable in color and pattern, creating a captivating appearance.
3. Great Spotted Woodpecker (its body coloring is just right)
The Great Spotted Woodpecker, one of the top ten woodpecker species, is a small to medium-sized bird and a standout in terms of appearance. Its sophisticated coloration gives it a very "high-class" look. The male has a distinctive narrow red patch on the back of its head, resembling a delicate "little red hat," while the female lacks this feature. Juveniles, however, have their "little red hat" on the top of their heads. When the Great Spotted Woodpecker takes flight, its wings open and close, creating a wave-like motion that is one of its unique distinguishing characteristics.
The Great Spotted Woodpecker's belly is mostly pure white with a certain proportion of pinkish-red, especially the feathers on its lower belly and undertail, which are a striking bright red.
4. Blue-throated Barbet (a brightly colored bird)
The Blue-throated Barbet is widely recognized as one of the most beautiful woodpecker species, with its brilliant green plumage often hidden among the treetops, requiring close observation to spot its vibrant colors. Its distinctive features include a vermilion forehead that gradually fades to golden yellow, a blue or black horizontal band on the crown, a vermilion neck, and a shimmering vermilion tinge on the front of the head and the base of the lower beak; a vermilion patch on each side of the throat, and a black longitudinal stripe on each side of the red portion of the crown; and a bright copper-blue eyebrow stripe, sides of the face, chin, and throat. Its back is grass-green, tinged with olive-yellow on the back and shoulders, its wings are dark brown with a grass-green surface, its tail feathers are deep grass-green, and its lower chest and abdomen are pale yellowish-green with subtle copper-blue tinges. Due to its colorful plumage, it is sometimes called the "Five-Colored Bird."
5. White-backed woodpecker (with a red hat and patterned markings)
When it comes to the most captivating woodpecker species, I personally have a particular fondness for the White-backed Woodpecker. This species is characterized by its white lower back, with both males and females exhibiting a red rump, a brownish-white forehead, and a vibrant crimson crown extending to the nape; the area around the eyes, cheeks, and ear coverts are also brownish-white. The area above the eyes is black, gradually fading to white; black streaks adorn the cheeks, extending to the sides of the neck. The nape and upper back are black, while the lower back and rump are white. The upper tail coverts are black, as are the central tail feathers, which shimmer with a bright sheen. The outer tail feathers are white with black horizontal stripes. The shoulders are black with white tips; the lesser wing coverts are black, as are the flight feathers, which have white horizontal stripes and white tips on both the inner and outer sides.
6. Great Barbet (brightly colored with vibrant variegation)
The Great Barbet is widely considered one of the most beautiful woodpeckers. Its head, neck, and throat are dark blue or purplish-blue; its upper breast is dark brown, while its lower breast and abdomen are pale yellow with broad green or blue-green streaks; its undertail coverts are red. Its back and shoulders are dark greenish-brown, while the rest of its upperparts are grass-green. The head and neck are blue or blue-green, with dark brown or black feather bases. Dark greenish-brown or mixed with dark red is visible on the upper back and shoulders. The lower back, rump, uppertail coverts, and tail feathers are bright grass-green. These woodpeckers often perch high in the treetops and can move from branch to branch like parrots.
7. Downy Woodpecker (small, cute, and with distinct colors)
The downy woodpecker is one of the smallest woodpeckers in North America, primarily inhabiting the North American region, including the United States, Canada, Greenland, Bermuda, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and the transitional zone between North and Central America within Mexico. They measure approximately 14 to 18 centimeters in length and have a wingspan of about 25 to 31 centimeters. The downy woodpecker is characterized by a white belly and black back, along with a black neck and white spots on its wings. Its head has black and white stripes, and its tail is short. Male downy woodpeckers have reddish head feathers, adding to their striking visual appeal.
8. Red-bellied Woodpecker (striking colors and beautiful stripes)
Adult male Red-bellied Woodpeckers have red patches on their head and neck, black and white striped feathers covering their wings and body, and a striking red patch on their abdomen. The male has a larger head, while the female is usually grey with a grey cap-like patch on the crown. The wing feathers are predominantly black and white, with a white tail. The central tail feathers are mainly white with a few black stripes. The outer tail feathers are black and white, and the abdomen is covered with a red patch, though not always clearly visible. In flight, white stripes on the primary flight feathers are clearly visible.
9. Great Golden-backed Woodpecker (brightly colored with rich body colors)
The Great Golden-backed Woodpecker is one of the most striking woodpecker species, displaying a dazzling array of plumage. This woodpecker is extremely attractive; the male has a bright red crown and crest, a white nape, a golden back, shoulders, and wings, while the rump turns deep red, and the upper tail coverts and tail are black. The female's plumage is similar to the male's, except that the crown and crest are black with white spots. During the breeding season, the male's plumage changes; the crown and crest become even more vibrant, displaying a striking blood red, and the back turns golden orange—all changes designed to attract females.
10. Red-headed Woodpecker (bright and vibrant colors)
The Red-headed Woodpecker is a woodpecker native to North America, distributed across the United States, Canada, Greenland, Bermuda, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and the transitional zone between North and Central America within Mexico. This woodpecker is renowned for its striking appearance, displaying three distinct colors: a black back and tail, a red head and neck, and a predominantly white lower body. Its wings are black, with the second wing feathers speckled with white.
For non-professional birdwatchers, it is easy to confuse the Red-headed Woodpecker with the Red-bellied Woodpecker, because the Red-bellied Woodpecker's head also has some red.
Other attractive woodpecker species:
White-browed Woodpecker
North American Black Woodpecker
The following species are listed: Spotted Woodpecker, Little Star-headed Woodpecker, Brown-tailed Flycatcher, Bamboo Woodpecker, Golden-backed Three-toed Woodpecker, Yellow-crowned Woodpecker, Green-spotted Flutterwing, South American Chestnut Woodpecker, Himalayan Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sucker, Oak Woodpecker, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Latin American Woodpecker, Steppe Flutterwing, Light-billed Woodpecker, Golden-backed Three-toed Woodpecker, Red-necked Sucker, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker, Cuban Green Woodpecker, Long-billed Woodpecker, White-crowned Woodpecker, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sucker, Spotted Woodpecker, Yellow-eared Woodpecker, Red-spotted Green Woodpecker, Yellow-rumped Woodpecker, Spotted Green Woodpecker, Red-banded Woodpecker, Japanese Green Woodpecker, Creamy Woodpecker, Puerto Rican Woodpecker, Blue-eared Barbet, Grey-headed Green Woodpecker, Yellow-fronted Woodpecker, etc.
