Red-headed Woodpecker

The Red-headed Woodpecker is a medium-sized bird measuring 9 to 10 inches in length. It is a tri-colored bird with a black back and tail. The chest and belly are white and as the name implies, the head and neck are red. There is no blending of colors. Each are distinctly separate. Both the male and female are similar in appearance but the juveniles have a brown to black head and throat with a streaked chest and belly.

The Red-headed Woodpecker covers a wide range. During breeding season it can be spotted from Canada to Florida and the Gulf Coast. Northern birds migrate to the southern part of its range in the winter while the southern birds are usually year-round residents.

The Red-headed Woodpecker can be found in a variety of habitats. This insect eating bird will reside in open woodlands, orchards, deciduous and pine forests, parks and gardens.

The Red-headed Woodpecker builds its nest in the cavity of a dead tree or a dead limb of a living tree. If a cavity already exists they will use it but if none can be found, the male will drill a new cavity. The female will lay 4 to 7 eggs. They are incubated for 12 to 14 days with both parents taking a turn.

The Red-headed Woodpecker is an omnivore, eating insects, seeds, fruits, berries and nuts. They will catch insects on the fly, or forage on trees eating thousands of wood boring insects. Backyard birders attract the Red-headed Woodpecker to their yard with sunflower seeds and suet.

The Red-headed Woodpecker is a noisy bird during breeding season. It's queark, queark and queer,queer,queer can grate on the nerves.

The Little Guy
The Downy Woodpecker

Big Brothers

The Red-bellied Woodpecker
The Pileated Woodpecker
The Red-headed Woodpecker
The Hairy Woodpecker
The Northern Flicker

The Illusive One

The Ivory-billed Woodpecker

The Mischief Maker
Woody Woodpecker