redheaded woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 7.5 inches

• Sexes similar

• Fairly large, strikingly black and white woodpecker

Adult:

• Bright red head and neck

• White breast, belly, rump, and vent

• Black back and wings with prominent white secondaries visible in        flight and at rest

• Black tail

Juvenile:

• Mottled brown head and neck

• White breast, belly, and rump variably marked with brown streaking

• Dark brown back and upperwings with paler edgings

• White secondaries broken by brown lateral bars

• Dark brown tail

Similar species:

Entirely red head of adult should easily separate it from all but red-
breasted sapsucker (which does not overlap in range, and has paterned
back, yellow belly, and a different wing pattern). Note the red-headed
woodpecker's different position of the white wing patch (especially in
flight), white belly, and larger size. It may be confused with the largely
dissimilar red-bellied woodpecker at times, but attention to the gray
face and throat, and barred back and wings of the red-bellied should
eliminate any confusion.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Short distance migrant
Breeding Habitat: N/A
Nest Location: N/A
Nest Type: Cavity
Clutch Size: 4-7
Length of Incubation: 12-13 days
Days to Fledge: 27-30
Number of Broods: 1, often 2
Diet: Mostly nuts, seeds; lesser quantities of insects, fruit

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May C
      Su - Summer: June, July, August C
      Fall: September, October, November C

      Winter: December, January, February C

 

 

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