RED-HEADED WOODPECKER

3/22/08 Greensboro, NC
 Photo  © March 2008 by Lou Skrabec

4/20/08 Northern Randolph County
Photo © by Louise Brown

11/15/07 Northern Randolph County
Photo © by Louise Brown
This is the same individual bird as the one in the photo directly above. It arrived as an immature in the fall and has continued to stay, particularly liking this dead oak tree. Its head gradually turned from black to the brilliant shade of red.
     Dubbed “the patriot bird” because of its distinctive red, white and blue-black coloring, the Red-headed Woodpecker is delightful and distinctive, brash yet with a gentle sense of humor. Like other woodpeckers, they are very active and have a strong work ethic, busily foraging for food. The often are in the company of a mate or offspring, and the birds will call to each other, loud cries and “chuuurs”. They are not found frequently in Guilford County but are unmistakable. A largish bird, about the size of a robin, it has a completely red head, white breast and rump, black wings and tail. When the wings are spread the lower halves (the secondaries) are white.
     They range throughout the eastern US, from the Great Lakes south, breeding as far west as Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. They like larger, older trees, eat various insects and vegetable matter, especially forest mast, nuts that have fallen on the ground. They really like beechnuts and acorns. They prefer open forests, and will perch in snags, trees or branches that are dead. An area with water and numerous large, dead trees would be a highly likely spot to find them. They nest in cavities in these trees, as well as telephone poles and whatever else they can find.
     They have been declining over the years due to habitat destruction and the invasion of the European Starling, which competes for the nesting cavities.
This material was prepared by Members of the Piedmont Bird Club.

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