Red-headed Woodpecker

Melanerpes erythrocephalus Order: PICIFORMES Family: Woodpeckers (Picidae)
Red-headed Woodpecker Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: Dagger, All-purpose
  • Eye Color: Gray brown in juveniles, dark brown or red-brown in adults.
  • Head Pattern: Plain
  • Crown Color: Red
  • Forehead Color: Red
  • Nape Color: Red
  • Throat Color: Red
  • Cere color: No Data
Splitbar

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Red-headed Woodpecker Body Illustration

Body

  • Length Range: 22-23 cm (8.5-9.25 in)
  • Weight: 71 g (2.5 oz)
  • Size: Size 2. Small (5 - 9 in)
  • Color: Red, White, Black
  • Underparts: White
  • Upperparts: Black
  • Back Pattern: Solid
  • Belly Pattern: Solid
  • Breast Pattern: Solid
Red-headed Woodpecker Flight Illustration

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Strong flight with slow steady shallow wing beats., Sallies for flying insects, then returns to same or nearby perch.
  • Wingspan Range: 41-46 cm (16-18 in)
  • Wing Shape: Pointed-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Pointed Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Solid
  • Upper Tail: Black
  • Under Tail: Black
  • Leg Color: Black
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Family Woodpecker (Picidae)_blue
Species Melanerpes erythrocephalus
Length8.5 - 9.25 Inches
Wingspan17 Inches

Red-headed Woodpecker

Red-headed Woodpecker: Medium-sized woodpecker with black upperparts and tail, and white underparts and rump. The head, throat, and upper breast are dark red. Wings are black with large white patches. Bill, legs and feet are black. This is the only woodpecker in the east with a completely red head.

● Song: "queark","queer,queer,queer","kerr-uck,kerr-uck"

● Foraging & Feeding: Red-headed Woodpecker: Eats insects, spiders, millipedes, and centipedes, seeds, various nuts, and berries; forages by hunting from low perches, flying down to ground to pick up prey or nuts.

● Breeding & nesting: Red-headed Woodpecker: Four to seven white eggs are laid in a cavity drilled in a limb of a living or dead tree, mostly by the male. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Red-headed Woodpecker: Red-bellied Woodpecker has barred black-and-white upperparts and much less red on head and neck.

Flight Pattern

Strong flight with slow steady shallow wing beats., Sallies for flying insects, then returns to same or nearby perch.
Red-headed Woodpecker Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Red-headed Woodpecker: Breeds from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec south to Florida and the Gulf Coast; scarce in northeastern states. Spends winters in southern part of breeding range.
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester
PopulationYes but uncommon
MigrationSome migrate
Weight2.5 Ounces