Melanerpes Erythrocephalus – Red-headed Woodpecker

Distinguishing Features – Primarily black; rump, secondary wing feathers, and underbody, white; Complete head, neck and upper breast, red.

Male and female are indistinguishable but the female is slightly smaller.

  • Size – 22 – 25 cm
  • (8.75 – 10 in)

Red-headed Woodpecker

Habitat

Large, mature trees in open woodlands.

Nesting

Excavates a cavity in the dead wood of a tree. Eggs, 4 – 7; white. The incubation period is 13 – 15 days.

Notes

The Red-headed Woodpecker lives on a diet of insects. It also eats nuts and fruits and, sometimes, the eggs of other species.

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