Field Guide/Birds/Melanerpes erythrocephalus
| Red-headed Woodpecker | ||||||||||||||
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| Photo: Woodpecker | ||||||||||||||
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| Melanerpes erythrocephalus |
The Red-headed Woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus, is a large 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 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 omniverous, 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.
