The Red-headed Woodpecker (*Melanerpes erythrocephalus*) is a distinctive member of the woodpecker family (Picidae) in the order Piciformes. Adults are easily recognized by their bright red head and upper breast, bluish-black wings, and large white patches on the wings and rump. They prefer open woodlands and forest edges, forage by darting after flying insects, and excavate nest cavities in dead trees or other structures.
Sexes are visually identical, but age is a critical field mark. Adults display a vivid red head, neck, throat, and upper breast. The wings and tail are bluish-black, contrasted by large, square white areas on the rear of the wings and the upper rump. These white patches make the bird highly conspicuous in flight.
Immature birds retain the same white wing patches but have a buffy-brown head and neck. This coloration changes to the adult red pattern after the first molt. If you see a woodpecker with the classic black-and-white body and white wing bars but a brownish head, you are likely looking at a first-year bird.
Red-headed Woodpeckers favor open habitats. They are commonly found in deciduous woodlands, river bottoms, orchards, parks, and grasslands with scattered trees. A key preference is for areas with few tall, large-diameter trees, which distinguishes them from woodpeckers that require dense, mature forests for foraging.
Their winter habitat is similar to their breeding habitat, though they may spend the winter in mature forests containing large, old trees. Winter distribution is often linked to food availability, particularly acorns. The species is a year-round resident in most of its range, which extends across eastern North America from southern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and Florida. Birds breeding in the northern and western parts of the range may migrate to southern states for the winter.
These woodpeckers are solitary and defend breeding territories in spring and summer, and feeding territories in fall and winter. They spend the majority of their time foraging. A common misconception is that woodpeckers primarily drill into trees for food; for the Red-headed Woodpecker, flying insects are more important. They often perch on branches or utility poles, watch for insects, and then dart out to catch them in mid-air. They also forage on the ground and in shrubs.
In autumn, they actively store food for the winter. They cache items in natural or anthropogenic crevices and holes that they did not excavate themselves. If a nut is too large for a crevice, they will break it into smaller pieces rather than modifying the hole. Some stores are sealed with wood chips to protect them from scavengers.
The Red-headed Woodpecker is one of the most omnivorous woodpecker species. Its diet includes a wide variety of insects, spiders, earthworms, nuts, seeds, berries, and both wild and cultivated fruit. They occasionally eat small mammals and bark. They are also known to eat the young or eggs from the nests of other birds, such as bluebirds, house sparrows, and chickadees.
Red-headed Woodpeckers are thought to be monogamous, though polygyny may occur. They nest in cavities that they excavate with their beaks. Preferred sites are dead trees, but they also use natural holes, fence posts, utility poles, and even under the roofs of buildings. Both parents participate in excavation, but the male does most of the drilling. The cavity is typically 20 to 60 cm deep, with an entrance 5–6 cm in diameter that expands inside.
Eggs are laid between April and July, with clutch sizes ranging from 3 to 10 eggs (most commonly 5). Incubation lasts 12 to 14 days and is shared by both parents, with the male incubating at night. Chicks are altricial, hatching naked with eyes closed. They leave the nest at 24 to 31 days old and are strong fliers capable of catching their own food soon after fledging. Pairs may raise one or two broods per year.
Red-headed Woodpeckers use a wide array of calls and drumming for various social situations, including territorial encounters, courtship, and communication between mated pairs. A notable behavior is "mutual tapping," where the male taps on the inside of the nest cavity while the female taps on the outside, which may play a role in courtship. Historical accounts describe a noisy, guttural rattle, but the specific vocal repertoire is diverse and context-dependent.
The Red-headed Woodpecker is listed as Least Concern (LC) in the AviList v2026 checklist. While the species was once very common throughout eastern North America, it has experienced declines in abundance. Factors contributing to this decline include the introduction of European starlings, which compete for nesting holes, the removal of dead trees that provide nest sites, and vehicle strikes. The species is protected under the US Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
To observe Red-headed Woodpeckers ethically, focus on their preferred habitats: open woodlands, orchards, and forest edges with scattered trees. Look for birds perched on exposed branches or utility poles, watching for flying insects. When they dart out to catch prey, the white wing patches will flash brightly, confirming the identification. In autumn, you may observe them caching food in crevices. Maintain a respectful distance to avoid disturbing their foraging or nesting activities, especially during the breeding season when they are defending territories.
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