There are several species of woodpeckers that have some amount of red on their head. The most well-known redheaded woodpecker species in North America include the Red-headed Woodpecker and the Red-bellied Woodpecker. Some other woodpeckers may show a small amount of red on their head as well.
Red-headed Woodpecker
The Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) is a medium-sized woodpecker that is named for the prominent red coloration on its head. Some quick facts about the Red-headed Woodpecker:
– They are found year-round in the central and eastern United States. Their range extends from the Rocky Mountains east to the Atlantic Coast and from southeastern Canada down to Texas.
– Adults have a bright red head, neck, and upper breast. Their back and wings are black with white patches. Their underparts are mostly white.
– These are noisy birds and their frequent vocalizations include rattles, squeaks, and loud calls.
– They are omnivorous, feeding on insects, nuts, seeds, fruits, and sometimes small animals. They may catch insects in flight or excavate them from wood.
– Red-headed Woodpeckers nest in tree cavities they have excavated themselves. Their nests are unlined except for wood chips left over from the excavation.
– These woodpeckers face threats from habitat loss and competition for nest sites with other cavity nesters. Their populations have declined by over 2% per year in recent decades.
The Red-headed Woodpecker is the only woodpecker species in North America that has a completely red head. The vivid red plumage on its head makes it easy to identify.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
The Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) also has some red feathers on its head, but not to the same extent as the Red-headed Woodpecker. Here are some key facts about the Red-bellied Woodpecker:
– Found in the eastern United States, ranging from southern Minnesota down to Texas and Florida. Also found along the West Coast from northern California to Washington.
– Adult males have a red cap going from their bill back over the top and nape of their head. The red color is brightest on the forehead and top of the head.
– Females have less red on the head, only extending from the nape to the rear of the crown. Juveniles have just a tinge of dull red on the head.
– The “red-bellied” in the name is a bit of a misnomer – their belly is actually pale gray or off-white. The faint reddish tint is hard to see.
– Makes a loud rolling territorial call that sounds like “churr-churr-churr”. Also uses other vocalizations like rattles, squeals, and soft “quirks”.
– Feeds on insects, spiders, snails, nuts, acorns, berries, and seeds. Also eats sap from wells excavated in trees and will visit suet feeders.
– Nests in dead trees or dead parts of live trees. The entrance hole is nearly perfect circle about 2-3 inches across.
– Populations have expanded north and west over the past 100 years as forests regenerated after logging. Still a common species across their range.
The red on the head of the Red-bellied Woodpecker is much more limited than the solid red head of the Red-headed Woodpecker. The subtle red on its nape and crown helps distinguish the Red-bellied from other similar woodpeckers.
Other Woodpeckers with Some Red on Head
A couple other woodpecker species found in North America may show a small splash of red on their head, though not to the extent of the Red-headed or Red-bellied Woodpeckers:
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
– Small woodpecker found in southeastern pine forests
– Males have a thin red stripe on each side of their black cap
– Considered an endangered species due to habitat loss
Acorn Woodpecker
– Found in western North America
– Males have a small red patch on the top of their head
– Makes acorn granary trees to store acorns for winter
Gila Woodpecker
– Resident of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico
– Small red cap on top of head
– Nest in holes excavated in cacti
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
– Ranges across southwest U.S. into Mexico
– Males have a red patch on the back of their black and white striped head
So while several woodpecker species may have a splash of red on their head, the Red-headed Woodpecker is truly distinctive with its entirely bright red head coloring. The Red-bellied Woodpecker also shows obvious red feathers, though just on the top and back of its head. The red heads help make these two woodpeckers stand out.
Appearance and Description
Here is a more detailed look at the appearance and description of the Red-headed Woodpecker:
– Size: About 9 inches (23 cm) long with a wingspan around 16 inches (40 cm)
– Bill: Grayish bill about 1 inch long, stout and chisel-tipped. Designed for hammering and excavating.
– Head: Vivid red head, neck, and upper breast in adults. Red feathers graduately fade to pink toward the back.
– Wings: Mainly black wings with large white patches on the secondary and inner primary feathers. These white patches are visible in flight.
– Back: Iridescent black back, rump, and tail feathers.
– Underparts: White below and white barring on the underside of the wing feathers.
– Legs and Feet: Dark gray legs and feet with two toes pointing forward and two toes pointing backward. Well adapted for gripping and climbing.
– Gender Differences: Both sexes look alike. Females may have slightly less vibrant red coloring on the head and neck.
– Juveniles:Juvenile birds have a mostly grayish head, neck and breast with small patches of red just starting to come in on the forehead and crown. Their black back and wing feathers are also drabber.
In all plumages, the Red-headed Woodpecker is distinguished by its robust, squared off head shape and stiff upright posture on tree trunks. In flight, its stark black and white wing pattern makes it easily recognizable. The vivid crimson head on adults is unmistakable.
Range and Habitat
The Red-headed Woodpecker occupies a range in the central and eastern United States. Here are some details on where these woodpeckers can be found and their preferred habitat:
– Range: Found year-round from the Rocky Mountains east to the Atlantic Coast, ranging from southeastern Canada down through the eastern half of the United States to Texas.
– Regions: Most abundant in areas near major rivers or lakes such as the Missouri River, upper Mississippi River, Ohio River Valley, and Great Lakes region.
– States: Found in highest densities in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Texas. Also present farther east but less common.
– Habitat: Open woods, groves, forest edges, and woodlots. Requires stands of large dead or dying trees for nesting and roosting. Also found in more open areas with scattered trees like parks, cemeteries, golf courses, and agricultural areas with fence lines or scattered trees.
– Elevation: From sea level up to around 5,000 feet.
– Migration: Permanent resident across their range. Will make seasonal movements based on food availability but do not undertake long migrations.
Though found in a variety of semi-open and open wooded habitats, Red-headed Woodpeckers rely on stands of dead and dying trees. These snags provide critical nesting and roosting sites for the species. Conservation of snags helps provide habitat for these woodpeckers.
Behavior and Diet
Red-headed Woodpeckers exhibit some interesting behaviors and have an omnivorous diet:
– Foraging: Forages for food in trees, on trunks, beneath bark, and on the ground. Will fly out from perches to catch insects in mid-air. Also excavates in wood for larvae and other prey.
– Foods: Eats insects like beetles, ants, grasshoppers, crickets; also spiders, snails, millipedes and caterpillars. Supplements diet with nuts, acorns, seeds, fruits, berries, grain, mice, eggs, and nestlings.
– Flycatching: Regularly catch flying insects and occasionally pluck them right out of spider webs. Have been known to eat honeybees, resulting in retaliation attacks from the bees.
– Caching Food: Often caches nuts, acorns, and seeds in bark crevices for retrieval later in the year. They have a very good memory for locating these stores.
– Vocalizations: Male and females both vocalize frequently with rattling cries, squeaks, and loud “churr” calls. The rattling and squeaking notes help keep pairs in contact.
– Aggressive: Can be aggressive in defending nest sites and food sources. Will harass or attack other woodpeckers, birds of prey, squirrels, and raccoons near their territory.
– Roosting: Roost communally in cavities or crevices during the nonbreeding season. Up to 15 birds may roost together.
The Red-headed Woodpecker is both an adept flycatcher and excels at extracting prey buried in tight spaces in wood or bark. Their caching behavior is more advanced than other North American woodpeckers. Overall they are bold, social, and noisy birds.
Breeding and Nesting
The breeding season and nesting habits of the Red-headed Woodpecker are well-suited to their habitat needs:
– Breeding Season: Breeding takes place from around mid-April to late July across their range. Most active from May to June.
– Courtship: Elaborate courtship displays. Males frequently feed female mates during courtship. Displays include wing-flicking, crest-raising, flutter-glides, and exaggerated calling.
– Nest Site: Excavates a new cavity each year, usually in a dead tree trunk or limb of a dead tree. Prefers telephone poles and tall snags. Nest is 25-60 ft high on average.
– Cavity: Makes an oval or nearly round entrance hole about 2-3 inches wide into softer dead wood. The cavity inside widens to ~6 inches wide and 6-12 inches deep.
– Nest Material: No nesting material is used inside the bare wood cavity, though wood chips from the excavation may remain.
– Clutch Size: 5-6 glossy white eggs on average. Lays one egg per day.
– Incubation: Both sexes incubate the eggs for about 12-14 days until hatching.
– Nestlings: Chicks are born naked and helpless. Fed by both parents and fledge from the nest at 25-27 days old.
– Broods: Usually raises one brood per breeding season. May raise a second if the first fails early enough in the year.
Red-headed Woodpeckers are dedicated parents and may use the same nest site for multiple years. The cavities they excavate are later used by other cavity nesters like swallows and owls once abandoned. Their nest holes provide a valuable resource.
Population and Conservation
Red-headed Woodpecker populations have declined significantly in the past few decades:
– Population Status: Estimated 1.7 million individuals in North America. Population has declined by over 2% annually from 1966 to 2014, resulting in a cumulative decline of 70% over five decades according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey.
– Causes of Decline: Habitat loss is a major factor, as dead trees are often cut down or removed in human modified landscapes. Nest competition from European Starlings is also a contributor.
– Conservation Status: Classified as “Near Threatened” on the IUCN Red List since 2013. Also a United States-Canada Stewardship Species of continental conservation importance.
– Protection and Management: Protecting existing habitat with standing dead trees and snags is critical. Installing nest boxes may help provide additional nesting sites where natural cavities are limited.
– Outlook: Ongoing population declines are likely to continue without targeted habitat conservation efforts and addressing factors like nest competition. More habitat protection and restoration is needed.
Though still widespread, the Red-headed Woodpecker merits continued monitoring and habitat management. Sustaining stands of dead and dying trees, especially large snags, will be key to ensuring this unique woodpecker remains a part of North America’s woodland ecosystems.
Fun Facts
To conclude, below are a few interesting and fun facts about the Red-headed Woodpecker:
– The Red-headed Woodpecker is one of only four woodpecker species worldwide that has largely red plumage. The other three are all found in South America.
– Their scientific name, Melanerpes erythrocephalus, means “red-headed black bird”. Melanerpes = black bird, erythro = red, cephalus = head.
– They have very long tongues with barbed tips that can extend over 2 inches past their bill to snatch prey.
– To store food, they wedge nuts and acorns tightly into cracks and crevices in dead trees. They can then retrieve them even when covered in snow.
– The oldest known Red-headed Woodpecker was over 12 years old when recaptured and rereleased during banding studies.
– Their loud calls and tendency to fly across roads and clearings makes them one of the most conspicuous woodpeckers.
– John James Audubon reported that Native Americans used their feathers as decorations and considered them a good luck charm.
– They are sometimes called the “flying checkerboard” due to their striking black and white wing pattern.
– Young Red-headed Woodpeckers have reddish irises that change to yellow as they age. Adults have bright golden-yellow eyes.
The Red-headed Woodpecker stands out for both its vibrant plumage and its boisterous habits. Protecting the standing dead trees this species relies on is the key to preserving its populations into the future.
Conclusion
In summary, the Red-headed Woodpecker is the most prominent red-headed woodpecker species in North America. Adults of this medium-sized woodpecker have a completely red head, neck and upper breast contrasting sharply with their black and white body plumage. They have a broad range across the eastern and central United States and adjacent southern Canada.
Red-headed Woodpeckers inhabit open woods, groves, and semi-wooded areas with mature trees, requiring dead and dying trees to excavate nesting cavities. They are omnivorous with an acrobatic foraging style, eating insects, nuts, fruits, and some small vertebrates.
Though Red-bellied Woodpeckers and a few other species can show small patches of red on the head, the Red-headed Woodpecker is unmistakable with its fully crimson head. However, this unique woodpecker has suffered extensive population declines due to habitat loss and nest competition. Protecting remaining habitat with standing dead trees and snags will be crucial for the future conservation of this species.