Difference between revisions of "Field Guide/Birds/Melanerpes erythrocephalus"
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Adults have a black back and tail with a red head and neck. Their underparts are mainly white. The wings are black with white secondaries. Non-[[birding|birders]] often mistakenly identify the [[Red-bellied woodpecker]] as this species. | Adults have a black back and tail with a red head and neck. Their underparts are mainly white. The wings are black with white secondaries. Non-[[birding|birders]] often mistakenly identify the [[Red-bellied woodpecker]] as this species. | ||
| − | Their breeding habitat is open country across southern [[Canada]] and the eastern [[United States]]. They nest in a cavity in a dead tree or a dead part of a tree. | + | Their breeding habitat is open country across southern [[Canada]] and the eastern-central [[United States]]. They nest in a cavity in a dead tree or a dead part of a tree. |
Northern birds [[bird migration|migrate]] to the southern parts of the range; southern birds are often permanent residents. | Northern birds [[bird migration|migrate]] to the southern parts of the range; southern birds are often permanent residents. | ||
Revision as of 16:28, 20 May 2005
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| Melanerpes erythrocephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
The Red-headed Woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus, is a small or medium-sized woodpecker.
Adults have a black back and tail with a red head and neck. Their underparts are mainly white. The wings are black with white secondaries. Non-birders often mistakenly identify the Red-bellied woodpecker as this species.
Their breeding habitat is open country across southern Canada and the eastern-central United States. They nest in a cavity in a dead tree or a dead part of a tree.
Northern birds migrate to the southern parts of the range; southern birds are often permanent residents.
These birds fly to catch insects in the air or on the ground, forage on trees or gather and store nuts. They are omnivorous, eating insects, seeds, fruits, berries and nuts.
Their numbers appear to be declining, possibly due to loss of habitat and competition with European Starlings for nest sites.
They give a queee call or drum on territory.
