Woodpeckers in Tennessee: Top 8 Most Common Woodpeckers

Tennessee has an impressive range of wildlife thanks to its exceptional geographic standpoint. It houses the Unaka Mountains and other high peaks like the Clingman’s Dome and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With all of Tennessee’s forestry, you can expect to find a myriad of ecosystems! There’s no shortage of woodpeckers in Tennessee. In fact, you can find eight different species of woodpeckers there. Most of these tree-loving birds enjoy an all-year-long stay in Tennessee. Stick around to learn more about woodpeckers in Tennessee as well as where and how you can spot them. 8 Woodpeckers in Tennessee In your birdwatching walk, always put your ear out for that tell-tale drumming noise. Some of these woodpeckers will be easy to listen to, while others might be a bit tougher to spot. 1. Red-Bellied Woodpecker Scientific name:Melanerpes carolinus Length:9 to 10.6 inches Wingspan:15 to 18.1 inches If you’re trying to spot these woodpeckers, you wouldn’t need to look for a crimson red belly. Despite what their name suggests,Red-bellied Woodpeckershave only a tinge of red under their belly that almost looks more peach. They’re more noticeable from their black and white patterned wings and red-striped heads. Other than that, Red-bellied Woodpeckers have light-colored bellies and necks as well as black sharp beaks. These woodpecker species are usually found in woodlands along the Eastern side. You can try to attract them with some backyard suet feeders. They’ll fly right in, especially if you reside near forests. Author Note:Unlike most other woodpeckers, the red-bellied species isn’t too keen on pecking for insects in trees. They prefer foraging for berries and seeds, as well as small birds and amphibians. Red-bellied Woodpeckers are likely to be found perched on a treetop branch. In some cases, they use their spiked beaks to graze off the wood

Tennessee has an impressive range of wildlife thanks to its exceptional geographic standpoint.