Family Woodpeckers (Picidae)
Least Concern
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
Taxonomy
French: Pic à tête rouge German: Rotkopfspecht Spanish: Carpintero cabecirrojo
Taxonomy:
Picus erythrocephalus
Linnaeus
, 1758,America = South Carolina, USA
.Distribution:
Breeds in extreme S Canada from S Manitoba (L Winnipeg) E to S Quebec, and in C & E USA from E Montana (E of Rocky Mts) across to Atlantic coast, S to C Colorado, C New Mexico, Gulf of Mexico and Florida.
Descriptive notes
c. 24 cm; 56–97 g. Rather small woodpecker with distinctive plumage pattern. Both sexes have head, neck and throat to upper breast red, rarely some admixed orange or... read more
Voice
Many, variable calls: aggressive “quirr” in fast series of 5–7 notes, given throughout year,... read more
Habitat
Mature lowland forest with dead trees for nesting, open areas for flycatching, and relatively open... read more
Food and feeding
About two-thirds of diet is made up of animal matter in spring; seeds and other plant material predominant food in winter. One of the most... read more
Breeding
Apr–Sept, mainly May–Jun; from Feb in S; up to 50% of pairs raise two broods. Monogamous, solitary; occasional trios of male... read more
Movements
N populations migrate S more or less regularly; NW populations particularly migratory. Non-breeding... read more
Status and conservation
Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Previously considered Near Threatened. Fairly common. Breeding numbers fluctuate, probably greatest in seasons following high... read more
Possibly closer to M. portoricensis and M. herminieri than to M. formicivorus. Slightly longer-winged (more migratory) populations of W Great Plains S & W to C Colorado sometimes separated as race caurinus, supposedly also with slightly deeper yellow wash below; tone of underparts, however, varies greatly among all populations, and subspecific division considered unwarranted. Monotypic.