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Woody, The Red-Headed Woodpecker

Summer 2002 Newsletter

Remember the Woody Woodpecker Song?

Well, Woody was a Red-Headed Woodpecker, one of the most handsome of the woodpeckers. The entire head, neck, and throat are bright red in both male and female adults, which contrasts vividly with the birds blue-black backs and white underparts.

Like other woodpeckers, the Red-headed Woodpecker has a wood-boring bill, a long tongue, and a stiff tail that supports it while climbing trees.

The Red-headed woodpecker five white eggs and may produce two broods during the breeding season. The fledglings have brownish heads, but acquire their red heads gradually during a winter molt.

Red-headed Woodpeckers are year-long residents throughout their range, which stretches across Eastern North America, from Canada to the gulf states. Once common, their numbers have been reduced in recent years due to loss of habitat and competition for nest holes with Starlings.

In addition, Red-headed woodpeckers have a habit of flying close to the road looking for insects, and are often hit by passing cars.

So if you see a flash of red, black, and white, slow down. It may be a Red-headed Woodpecker.