Woodpeckers are medium-sized birds that belong to the family Picidae. There are around 200 species of woodpeckers that can be found worldwide, except in Australia and Antarctica. Woodpeckers are known for their characteristic behaviors like pecking on trees and hiding food in tree bark crevices. Their unique anatomy includes stiff tail feathers that provide support against tree trunks and strong bills for excavation. When it comes to identification, the color and pattern of plumage on the head, wings, back and underside can offer clues about woodpecker species. Based on the description provided of a red head and spotted wings, the woodpecker in question is likely the red-headed woodpecker.
Identifying Features of the Red-Headed Woodpecker
The red-headed woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) is a medium-sized woodpecker species found in North America. As the name suggests, adult red-headed woodpeckers can be identified by their distinct solid red head ranging from the bill to the neck. The back and wings are black with large white patches. The underside is mostly white. The wings are checkered black and white, giving them a spotted appearance. The tail is black. Adult males and females have similar plumage. Juveniles have a gray head that slowly turns red by fall. The red-headed woodpecker is around 7-9 inches in length with a wingspan of 15-17 inches. They weigh 2-3 ounces on average. Their bill is dark gray and eyes are red. The species gets its scientific name Melanerpes erythrocephalus from the Greek words melas meaning black, herpe meaning creeping, and erythros meaning red. Overall, the red head and spotted black and white wings make the red-headed woodpecker easy to identify among North American woodpecker species.
Geographic Range and Habitat
The red-headed woodpecker is found in central and eastern regions of North America. Its range stretches west from eastern Montana to the Atlantic coast, and from southern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. They are year-round residents across most of their territory. However, northern populations may migrate south for the winter. These woodpeckers inhabit open woodlands, particularly oak savannas. They are also found along forest edges, in orchards, city parks, and suburban neighborhoods with mature trees. Dead trees and limbs are favored perch locations. The species range has contracted in the last few decades due to habitat loss, but stable populations exist in areas with suitable habitat.
Food Sources
Red-headed woodpeckers are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of plant and animal matter. Like other woodpeckers, they use their strong beaks to hammer and dig out their food. Their diet includes:
- Insects – primarily beetles, ants, bees, wasps, caterpillars, and grasshoppers.
- Spiders
- Centipedes
- Millipedes
- Snails
- Worms
- Berries – serviceberries, black cherries, dogwood berries, elderberries, grapes, etc.
- Acorns
- Beechnuts
- Corn
- Other seeds and nuts
- Fruit – apples, peaches, pears, persimmons, hackberries, etc.
They forage primarily in trees, but also hunt on the ground for insects and fallen nuts and fruit. Red-headed woodpeckers are known to store food items like acorns and nuts in clusters wedged into bark crevices of trees. Their cached food provides nourishment through cold winter months when insect prey is scarce.
Nesting and Reproduction
The breeding season for red-headed woodpeckers lasts from May to July across their range. They are monogamous breeders and pairs remain together for the breeding season and often multiple years. Red-headed woodpeckers nest in the cavities of dead trees. They are primary cavity nesters, excavating their own nest holes each breeding season. The nest cavity is typically 20-70 feet above ground. Entrance holes are approximately 2 inches wide and lead to an inner cavity 6-12 inches deep. The female lays a clutch of 4-7 glossy white eggs and incubates them for 12-14 days. Both parents feed the hatchlings. Young leave the nest at around 27-31 days old. Red-headed woodpecker chicks have pale red crowns and wings with scattered black spots. Parents continue tending to fledglings for 3-4 weeks after they leave the nest. Most pairs raise one brood per breeding season. Due to competition for nest sites with introduced species like European starlings, red-headed woodpecker populations are declining in some areas. Providing nest boxes helps increase available nesting cavities for them.
Vocalizations
Red-headed woodpeckers have a distinct vocal repertoire. Their most common call is a rolling churr or rattle that sounds like ???chur-chur-chur???. During the breeding season, both males and females use this call to strengthen pair bonds and defend territories. Another unique vocalization is a high-pitched squeal or scream, sounding like ???pteeee???. This scream is associated with alarm or distress and nest defense. Red-headed woodpecker drums are slower and spaced farther apart compared to other woodpeckers. Their drumming serves for communication purposes like advertising territory ownership rather than excavation functions. When perched, red-headed woodpeckers may make a fast repeated tapping sound to show agitation or draw attention. Juveniles also vocalize with begging calls while still in the nest. Overall, red-headed woodpeckers are noisy and vocal birds. Their sounds can pinpoint occupied habitats during surveys.
Behavior and Adaptations
Red-headed woodpeckers exhibit some interesting behaviors and adaptations:
- They are adept flyers capable of aerial hawking insects on the wing.
- They have a unique looping flight pattern with alternating flaps and glides.
- They perch upright like songbirds and often flycatch from perches.
- They are social and loosely colonial, often found in groups.
- They roost communally in tree cavities at night.
- Their sticky saliva helps glue food items like nuts into bark crevices for storage.
- They wedge whole acorns tightly into “bark granaries”, rotating them to get them wedged just right.
- To remove acorns, they hammer sideways to loosen them.
- They soak hard nuts like hickory nuts in bark crevices to soften them before eating.
- They have specially designed feathers at the base of the bill to help protect their eyes and face while hammering.
- They excavate nest cavities in dead trees, preferring softer snags.
These behaviors showcase the red-headed woodpecker’s intelligence and adaptation to its woodland habitat. Their food caching allows them to thrive even in cold months when insects are not available.
Conservation Status
While still relatively widespread, red-headed woodpecker populations have been in decline over the last few decades. Habitat loss is the biggest threat facing this species. Conversion of oak savannas and mature open woodlands to agriculture and development removes crucial nesting and foraging areas. Tree removal also lowers nest site availability. Fire suppression in remaining habitats allows tree canopy closure, reducing the open understory favored by red-headed woodpeckers. Competition with European starlings for nest cavities limits reproduction in some regions. Collisions with vehicles and buildings also contribute to mortality. Due to declining populations, the red-headed woodpecker is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Ongoing conservation efforts for the species include:
- Protection and restoration of oak savannas and open woodland habitats.
- Prescribed burning to prevent forest succession and maintain an open canopy.
- Retention of dead and dying trees which provide nest sites.
- Installation of nest boxes where natural cavities are limited.
- Research into effects of competition with starlings and methods to give native woodpeckers nesting precedence.
- Public education about benefits of snags and habitat protection.
Supporting these initiatives along with reporting red-headed woodpecker sightings contributes to the preservation of the species. With appropriate conservation measures, the outlook for red-headed woodpeckers can be positive.
Conclusion
The vivid red-headed woodpecker stands out among North America’s woodpecker species. Its unique appearance, behaviors, sounds, and habitat preferences separate it from other woodpeckers. While the species faces some conservation threats from habitat loss and competition, protected areas and proactive management efforts can secure the future of the red-headed woodpecker. Sightings of these fascinating birds with red heads and spotted black and white wings should be valued and reported to help conserve their populations. With a distinctive look and interesting characteristics, the red-headed woodpecker remains a cherished woodland bird.