Red-headed Woodpecker Bird Facts (Melanerpes…

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Red-headed Woodpecker is a striking bird with a vibrant red head, neck, and throat.

Its body is distinctly patterned with a black back and tail and large white wing patches contrasting sharply with the black flight feathers. Their bills are bluish-gray, and their eyes are a dark reddish brown. Legs and feet are greenish-gray.

Adults of both sexes share identical plumage. Juveniles differ, having a brown head and neck, and a back with black bars on a white background, gradually molting into adult plumage over their first winter.

Size

Length

19cm to 23cm

Wingspan

35cm to 42cm

Weight

56g to 97g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Red Black White

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Red-headed Woodpecker can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Red-headed Woodpecker is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Red-headed Woodpecker is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Red-headed Woodpecker is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Red-headed Woodpecker can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Red-headed Woodpecker can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Red-headed Woodpecker is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Red-headed Woodpecker is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Red-headed Woodpecker is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Red-headed Woodpecker is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Red-headed Woodpecker is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Red-headed Woodpecker is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Red-headed Woodpeckers inhabit open woodlands, forest edges, and savannas across eastern North America. They prefer areas with abundant dead trees for nesting and foraging, often found in oak and beech forests, pine barrens, and wetland margins.

In the United States, they are most common in the Midwest and Southeast, with some populations extending into southern Canada during the breeding season. Northern populations typically migrate south for winter, while southern birds are often year-round residents.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Red-headed 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

Resident

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Canada Mexico United States of America

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird 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 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Red-headed Woodpecker displays remarkable agility, particularly in its ability to catch insects in mid-air like a flycatcher. This unusual behaviour for a woodpecker, combined with their adept tree-climbing skills, warrants a high agility rating.

Strength 70

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

While not exceptionally strong compared to larger birds, Red-headed Woodpeckers possess sufficient strength to excavate nesting cavities in dead trees and to drum loudly for communication. Their ability to store food items like acorns in tree bark also indicates a decent level of strength.

Adaptability 80

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

These woodpeckers show high adaptability through their varied diet, which includes insects, fruits, nuts, and even small birds' eggs. Their ability to thrive in different habitats, from open woodlands to urban areas, and their food-hoarding behaviour for winter survival further demonstrate their adaptability.

Aggressiveness 75

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Red-headed Woodpeckers are known for their territorial behaviour, aggressively defending their nesting and feeding areas even against larger bird species. This level of assertiveness, particularly during breeding season, suggests a relatively high aggression rating.

Endurance 65

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

While capable of seasonal migrations, Red-headed Woodpeckers are not known for exceptional endurance feats. Their ability to sustain flight-catching insects and their partial migratory nature indicate moderate endurance, but without evidence of extraordinary stamina, a conservative rating is appropriate.

Diet

Red-headed Woodpeckers have a varied diet that includes insects, fruits, nuts, and seeds. Plant-based foods represent around two-thirds of their diet.

They are particularly fond of acorns and beechnuts, which they store for winter. Unlike many woodpeckers, they frequently catch insects in flight and may also opportunistically eat smaller birds' eggs or nestlings, as well as forage on the ground.

Behaviour

Red-headed Woodpeckers are agile flycatchers, often sallying from perches to catch insects in mid-air. They are skilled food hoarders, stuffing nuts and acorns into bark crevices for later consumption.

These woodpeckers are territorial and may aggressively defend their nesting and feeding areas from other birds, including larger species.

Vocalisation

Red-headed Woodpeckers have a distinctive, sharp 'tchur' or 'queer' call, often repeated in a series.

Their drumming is loud and resonant, consisting of short bursts that last about half a second. During territorial disputes, they may produce a harsh 'charr-charr' sound.

Nesting & Breeding

Red-headed Woodpeckers form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, typically from May to August. Courtship involves chasing and calling displays, often centered around potential nest sites.

Nests are excavated in dead trees or large dead branches, usually 6-20 meters above ground. Both sexes participate in excavation. The female lays 4-7 white eggs in the unlined cavity.

Incubation lasts about 12-14 days, shared by both parents. Nestlings fledge after 24-27 days but may continue to be fed by parents for several weeks after leaving the nest.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

Red-headed Woodpeckers face threats from habitat loss due to the removal of dead trees and the conversion of open woodlands. Competition with European Starlings for nesting cavities also impacts their populations.

Conservation efforts focus on preserving suitable habitats and maintaining standing dead trees in their range.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

1,800,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Look for their distinctive tri-color pattern in open woodlands or near forest edges.
Listen for their sharp 'tchur' call or drumming on dead trees.
Check utility poles and fence posts in rural areas, as they often use these for perching.
In the US, visit oak savannas or pine barrens for better chances of spotting them.

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Tricolored Woodpecker

Family:

Picidae

Average Lifespan

9 years

Max Lifespan

10 years ^[4]

Predators

Main predators include hawks, owls, and snakes. Raccoons and flying squirrels may also prey on eggs and nestlings.

Did You Know?

Red-headed Woodpeckers are one of the few woodpecker species known to cover their eggs with wood chips when leaving the nest.
They are skilled at catching insects in mid-air, behaving more like flycatchers than typical woodpeckers.
These woodpeckers have been observed creating wedges in tree bark to store live grasshoppers for later consumption.

FAQs

Are Red-headed Woodpeckers protected in the US?

Red-headed woodpeckers are protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which makes it an offense to kill, injure, trade, or trap an individual bird or damage or destroy a nest, eggs, or young without a license.

What attracts Red-headed woodpeckers?

In winter months, red-headed woodpeckers have been known to visit backyard feeders, where they are observed to be particularly fond of suet.

Pecans, seeds, beechnuts, acorns, and soft fruits, including blackberries, cherries, and raspberries, may also work well at enticing red-headed visitors.