Red-headed Woodpecker
The Red-headed Woodpecker is a squatter. Rather than build their own nest, they will claim an abandoned one, or take a nest in use by force.
The Red-headed Woodpecker
Description
Like the squirrel, the Red-headed Woodpecker will store nuts and seeds for the winter.
Range and Habitat
The Read-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.
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-headed Woodpecke...
Red-headed Woodpecke...
Red-Headed Woodpecke...
Red-headed Woodpecke...
Red-Headed Woodpecke...
Mating and Nesting Habits
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. A single Red-headed Woodpecker can eat thousands of carpenter ants in one day.
Bird Feeders
Diet
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. Voice
The Red-headed Woodpecker is a noisy bird during breeding season. It's queark, queark and queer,queer,queer can grate on the nerves. Bird Songs
Due to loss of habitat, the Red-headed Woodpecker is listed as vulnerable in Canada and on the United State's watch list.
Recommended Reading
Why Don't Woodpeckers Get Headaches: And Other Answers to Bird Questions You Know You Want to Ask
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 07/09/2008)
Stalking the Ghost Bird: The Elusive Ivory-Billed Woodpecker in Louisiana
Amazon Price: $18.21 (as of 07/09/2008)
Woodpeckers of North America
Amazon Price: $26.37 (as of 07/09/2008)
The Audubon Backyard Birdwatcher: Birdfeeders and Bird Gardens
Amazon Price: $19.98 (as of 07/09/2008)
Stokes Birdfeeder Book : The Complete Guide to Attracting, Identifying, and Understanding Your Feeder Birds
Amazon Price: $11.19 (as of 07/09/2008)
Elizabeth's Websites
- South Carolina Birder
- An information blog on wild birds, birdwatching, and creating a backyard bird sanctuary.
- Elizabeth Jean Allen, Author Page
- Elizabeth Jean Allen grew up in rural Minnesota, but has spent most of her adult life on the shores of South Carolina. She currently resides in Charleston, SC with her husband Chris and their two sons, Charles and Gregory. She spends the bulk of the year teaching high school science, and spends what little free time she has, reading, writing, and studying the birds.
Remember the Birds
7.5" X 11" Double-Sided 1955 Colour Plate, (American Birds) Chimney Swift, Eastern Nighthawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will & Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Northern Flicker
Amazon Price: (as of 07/09/2008)
Bring the beauty inside with this beautiful plate.
Lizzy lensographies
-
Busy Lizzy's Bird Lenses
-
As we go through life, some sights and events have a profound impact on our lives, while others flitter past unnoticed. Some passions can be traced back to that single pivotal point while others grow seemingly unnoticed for years. I am a morning pers...
-
Buzy Lizzy's Lenses
-
Before I sat down to create this lensography, I took a look at my list of lenses. They are as varied as the students in my classroom. Can one be passionate about so many different things? I say yes. My passion is writing, but I am first and foremost...
Audubon Birds
Other Popular Backyard Birds by Lizzy
-
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds
-
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is one of sixteen hummingbirds to inhabit North America. It is a tiny bird, weighing less than a penny. Hummingbirds are the only species that can fly in any direction including upside down and backwards.
-
Barn Swallows
-
The Barn Swallow can be found worldwide. They spend the summers in North America and winter in South America. For some, it's a round trip totaling 14,000 miles.
-
The Blue Jay
-
Blue Jays are beautiful birds and fun to watch, but they are birdfeeder bullies. They will chase smaller birds away until they've had their fill.
What interesting birds have you seen?
|
poddys
A lovely lens, like all your bird lenses. It's always a pleasure to read one I haven't come across before. Posted June 01, 2008 |
|
chefkeem
You make very interesting AND pretty lenses! Great pictures! 5*s Posted June 01, 2008 |
Backyard Birds
Resources
Peterson, T.P. & Peterson, V.M. 2002. Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, N.Y.
Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology
Red-headed Woodpecker, National Audubon Society
Red-headed Woodpecker-Melanerpes erythrocephalus, Nature Works
Seattle Audubon Society
