A stunning woodpecker with a brilliantly red head, black back, and white belly. Populations have declined 60% since 1966 due to habitat changes.

Native status: Native to North America

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 15–50 cm (6–20 in); wingspan 25–80 cm
Weight20–400 g
LifespanWild 5–13 years
OrderPiciformes
FamilyPicidae

§ Encyclopedia

The red-headed woodpecker is a mid-sized woodpecker found in temperate North America. Its breeding habitat is open country across southern Canada and the east-central United States. It is rated as least concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)'s Red List of Endangered species, having been down-listed from near threatened in 2018.

Source: Wikipedia — Red-headed woodpecker Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Entirely crimson head, snow-white underparts, and a black back with large white wing patches that flash in flight. Sexes alike; juveniles have brown heads.

Similar species. Red-bellied Woodpecker has only a red cap and a barred back; the all-red head and bold black-and-white blocks are unmistakable in adults.

Voice. A loud, harsh 'queer' or 'churr', higher and sharper than Red-bellied.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Insects (especially wood-boring beetle larvae), some fruits and seeds.

Behavior. A striking woodpecker that flycatches, caches nuts, and aggressively defends territory; has declined sharply with loss of open oak woods and dead trees.

§ Range

Central and eastern US

§ Habitat

Open oak woodlands, savannas, recently burned areas

§ Threats

Loss of open oak savanna habitat, fire suppression, dead-tree removal.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the red-headed woodpecker is currently classified as Near Threatened.

§ What helps

Support prescribed-fire woodland management. Leave dead trees standing where safe.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
  • National Audubon Society
  • iNaturalist
  • IUCN Red List