Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Leuconotopicus borealis
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Red-cockaded Woodpecker is a small black-and-white woodpecker with distinctive white cheek patches. Its back is barred with black and white, while the underparts are white with black spots on the sides. The bird has a black cap and nape.
Males have a small red streak, or 'cockade', behind each eye, which is usually hidden and rarely visible in the field. Females lack this red marking but are otherwise similar. Juveniles may show a red patch on the crown.
Size
Length
20cm to 23cm
Wingspan
35cm to 38cm
Weight
40g to 55g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Red-cockaded Woodpeckers are found exclusively in the southeastern United States, from Virginia to eastern Texas and south to Florida. They inhabit mature pine forests, with a strong preference for longleaf pine ecosystems.
These woodpeckers require old-growth forests for nesting, typically in trees at least 80-120 years old. Their range has significantly decreased due to the loss of suitable habitat, but they persist in protected areas and managed forests throughout their historical range.
Elevation Range
Up to 500 meters
Climate zones
Subtropical, Temperate
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Red-cockaded Woodpecker. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Red-cockaded Woodpecker displays remarkable agility, adeptly manoeuvring up and down tree trunks and limbs whilst foraging. Their ability to excavate cavities in living pine trees also demonstrates considerable dexterity.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Whilst not exceptionally strong for their size, these woodpeckers possess sufficient strength to excavate nesting cavities in live pine trees, a process that can take several years. This indicates moderate strength relative to their small size.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Red-cockaded Woodpeckers show notable adaptability in their cooperative breeding system and their unique cavity-creation techniques. However, their specific habitat requirements for mature pine forests somewhat limit their overall adaptability.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Generally not considered aggressive birds, Red-cockaded Woodpeckers are highly social and cooperative. They may display some territorial behaviour during breeding season, but are not known for marked aggression.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
These woodpeckers demonstrate good endurance through their persistent cavity excavation, which can take years to complete. Their ability to maintain multiple cavity trees and forage extensively also suggests solid endurance for a small bird.
Diet
Red-cockaded Woodpeckers primarily feed on insects found in and under tree bark, which they use their bills to pick off sections. Their diet consists mainly of ants, beetles, cockroaches, caterpillars, and spiders.
They occasionally consume fruits and seeds, especially in winter when insect availability is lower. Their long, barbed tongue helps extract prey from crevices in bark.
Behaviour
Red-cockaded Woodpeckers are highly social, living in family groups called clusters. They are cooperative breeders, with offspring often helping their parents raise subsequent broods.
These woodpeckers forage primarily on pine trees, moving up and down the trunk and major limbs in search of insects.
Vocalisation
The Red-cockaded Woodpecker is fairly noisy, and you'll often hear chattering groups, indicating that there is a cluster nearby. They have a distinctive call described as a sharp, squeaky 'sklit'. They also produce a softer, rolling 'churt' sound during social interactions.
When alarmed, they emit a series of loud, raspy notes. During courtship, males may produce a soft, warbling song.
Nesting & Breeding
Red-cockaded Woodpeckers form monogamous pairs and breed cooperatively. The breeding season typically runs from April to June. Males excavate nesting cavities in live pine trees, a process that usually takes 1 to 3 years to complete.
Nests are unique among North American woodpeckers, as they are created in living pines and surrounded by resin wells that the birds maintain. Females lay 2-4 white eggs in these cavities.
Incubation lasts about 10-12 days, with both parents and helper birds sharing duties. Nestlings fledge after about 26-29 days but may remain with the family group for several months or even years.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
The Red-cockaded Woodpecker is listed as Near Threatened due to habitat loss and fragmentation.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving and managing mature pine forests, particularly longleaf pine ecosystems. Artificial cavity construction and controlled burns are key management techniques for supporting populations.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for them in mature pine forests, especially longleaf pine ecosystems
- Listen for their distinctive call, a sharp 'sklit'
- Search for their unique cavity nests surrounded by resin wells
- Observe early in the morning when they're most active
- Join guided tours in protected areas like national forests
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Main predators include rat snakes, flying squirrels, and occasionally larger birds of prey such as Cooper's Hawks and Eastern Screech-Owls.
Did You Know?
- Red-cockaded Woodpeckers are the only North American woodpeckers to excavate cavities in living pine trees.
- They create small holes called resin wells around their cavity entrances, which produce sap that deters predators.
- A family group may maintain and use up to 30 cavity trees in their territory.
- They are the most endangered Woodpecker in North America.
FAQs
What do red-cockaded woodpeckers do for the environment?
Known as a keystone species, red-cockaded woodpeckers are vital to their local ecosystems. Their nest cavities offer valuable habitats for other species, including eastern bluebirds, flying squirrels, corn snakes, and barking tree frogs.
Their disused cavities can also be modified into larger spaces by northern flickers and pileated woodpeckers, which are then useful for even more species, including eastern screech owls, bats, and honeybees.
Similar Birds
References
- 4
website: Longevity Records Of North American Birds. Version 2023.1
View source - 1
website: BirdLife International. 2020. Leuconotopicus borealis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T22681158A179376787.
View source - 3
report, 2016: Rosenberg et al.
- 2
website, 2019: Partners in Flight
View source
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