Difference between revisions of "Field Guide/Birds/Melanerpes erythrocephalus"
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These birds fly to catch [[insect]]s in the air or on the ground, forage on trees or gather and store nuts. They are [[omnivore|omnivorous]], eating insects, seeds, [[fruit]]s, berries and nuts. | These birds fly to catch [[insect]]s in the air or on the ground, forage on trees or gather and store nuts. They are [[omnivore|omnivorous]], eating insects, seeds, [[fruit]]s, berries and nuts. | ||
| − | Their numbers appear to be declining, possibly due to loss of habitat and competition with | + | Their numbers appear to be declining, possibly due to loss of habitat and competition with other birds for nest sites. |
| − | They give a | + | They give a "tchur-tchur" call or drum on territory. |
[[Category:Woodpeckers]] | [[Category:Woodpeckers]] | ||
Revision as of 16:31, 20 May 2005
| Red-headed Woodpecker | ||||||||||||||
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| Photo: Woodpecker | ||||||||||||||
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| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| 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 other birds for nest sites.
They give a "tchur-tchur" call or drum on territory.
