Red-headed Woodpecker Traditional Cache

The Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) is a striking and distinctive woodpecker species found in North America. It is known for its bold red head and contrasting black-and-white body, making it one of the most visually recognizable woodpeckers.

Key Characteristics:

• Size: Typically about 9 to 10 inches in length, making it a medium-sized woodpecker.
• Plumage: The Red-headed Woodpecker has a bright, solid red head, neck, and upper chest, with a black back and wings. Its belly is white, and it has a white patch on the wings and tail. Both males and females share similar plumage.
• Distinctive Features: The red head is the most prominent feature, setting this woodpecker apart from others. It also has a sharp, pointed bill and a bold, contrasting color pattern.
• Habitat: The Red-headed Woodpecker prefers open woodlands, forest edges, and areas with mature trees, particularly oak, hickory, and pine. It is often found in rural areas, parks, and even some suburban environments. However, it has been increasingly rare in urbanized areas due to habitat loss.
• Diet: It is an opportunistic feeder, consuming a wide variety of foods. Its diet includes insects (such as beetles, ants, and caterpillars), fruits, nuts, and even small vertebrates like mice or nestlings of other birds. It is also known to cache food in tree crevices for later consumption, particularly in the winter.
• Drumming: The Red-headed Woodpecker drums to communicate and establish territory. Its drumming sound is sharp and resonant, often heard in its preferred habitats.
• Nesting: The Red-headed Woodpecker typically nests in cavities in dead or decaying trees. It often selects larger trees for nesting sites, and both parents take part in excavating the cavity. The female lays 4 to 6 eggs, and both parents share the duties of feeding and caring for the chicks.
• Conservation Status: The Red-headed Woodpecker is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN in some regions due to habitat loss, especially the decline of mature forests and dead trees, which are essential for nesting. It has also faced pressures from competition with other cavity-nesting species. Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring suitable habitats.