How to Draw a Woodpecker (Easy Step by Step)
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A woodpecker is a fun bird to draw because it is built from a few easy shapes: a circle for the head, an egg for the body, and a pointy tail and beak. This one clings to a tree trunk with its beak at a little hole, so the picture tells a story. You only need curved lines, straight lines and dots.
- Easy
- 12 minutes
- 10 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawing
In this article (7 sections)
How to draw a woodpecker step by step
How to Draw a Woodpecker · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch these 2 ovals. They only show where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase them at the end.
Step 2: The round head
Draw a circle for the head near the top of your page. Leave room under it for the body.
Step 3: Body and tail
Draw a big egg shape under the head for the body, with its top tucked just under the head. Then add a pointy leaf shape at the bottom for the tail.
Step 4: The head crest
On top of the head, draw a small curved shape like a little hat. It starts on the left side of the head, swoops up and over, and ends in a point.
Step 5: The long beak
On the right side of the head, draw two lines that start at the face and meet in a point. It looks like a skinny triangle.
Step 6: The wing
On the left side of the body, draw a curved line shaped like a backward letter C. Start and end it on the edge of the body so it makes a wing.
Step 7: The tree trunk
Draw two tall, straight lines on the right side of your page. The first one touches the tip of the beak, and the second one stands a little way to its right.
Step 8: The leg
Draw a short straight line from the bottom of the body across to the tree trunk for the leg.
Step 9: Eyes and feather spots
Add two small dots on the head for eyes. Then add three tiny dots on the wing for feather spots.
Step 10: Hole, toes and bark
Draw a small oval hole on the tree where the beak touches it. Add a little arrow at the end of the leg for the toes, and a few short dashes down the trunk for bark.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your woodpecker? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a sparrow or how to draw a kingfisher next.
Tips for drawing a woodpecker
- Make the head circle smaller than the body egg so the bird looks balanced.
- For the beak, draw the top line first, then the bottom line, and bring both together in a point.
- Keep the tree lines straight and tall. Use the edge of a book as a ruler if you want.
- Add the eyes and wing spots as small, dark dots so they are easy to see.
Free woodpecker coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this woodpecker coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your woodpecker drawing
Try black and white feathers with a bright red patch on the crest, and brown bark on the tree. For a creative twist, color the hole dark and draw a tiny bug peeking out.
Woodpecker fun fact for kids
Most woodpeckers have two toes pointing forward and two pointing backward on each foot, which helps them grip tree trunks. They also press their stiff tail feathers against the bark to help hold themselves up.
Questions about drawing a woodpecker
What shapes do I need to draw a woodpecker?
You need a circle for the head, a big egg shape for the body, and a leaf shape for the tail. Add a skinny triangle for the beak, a curved line for the wing, and two straight lines for the tree.
How do I make my woodpecker look cuter?
Keep the head a good size compared to the body and place the eye dots close to the beak. Tiny spots on the wing add charm.
Why is the woodpecker drawn sideways on the tree?
Woodpeckers cling to the side of a trunk with their feet and tail, so they are seen from the side. Drawing the tree as two long lines shows what they are holding on to.
