Woodpeckers (Picidae)
Red-headed Woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Insects caught in flight, acorns and beechnuts cached for winter.
Woodpeckers (Picidae)Red-headed WoodpeckerMelanerpes erythrocephalus
- Scientific name
- Melanerpes erythrocephalus
- Length
- 7.5–9.1 in
- Weight
- 2–3.2 oz
- Nest
- Cavity in dead trees or limbs
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 3–10 eggs
- Incubation
- 12–14 days
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
Identification
- Entirely crimson head
- Black back with large white wing patches
- White belly
Voice
Harsh 'queeah' calls.
Diet and feeding
Insects caught in flight, acorns and beechnuts cached for winter.
What do red-headed woodpeckers eat? · Best feeder for red-headed woodpeckers
Red-headed Woodpeckers by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Arkansas | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Delaware | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Florida | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Georgia | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Illinois | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Indiana | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Iowa | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Kansas | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Kentucky | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Louisiana | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Maryland | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Michigan | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Minnesota | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Mississippi | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Missouri | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Montana | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Nebraska | Summer breeder | May–July |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | May–July |
| New York | Summer breeder | May–July |
| North Carolina | Year-round resident | May–July |
| North Dakota | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Ohio | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Ontario | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Pennsylvania | Summer breeder | May–July |
| South Carolina | Year-round resident | April–July |
| South Dakota | Summer breeder | May–July |
| Tennessee | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Texas | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Virginia | Year-round resident | May–July |
| West Virginia | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Wisconsin | Summer breeder | June–July |
| Wyoming | Summer breeder | June–July |
Frequently asked
What do red-headed woodpeckers eat?
Insects caught in flight, acorns and beechnuts cached for winter. At feeders: suet, peanuts, sunflower.
How big is a Red-headed Woodpecker?
7.5–9.1 in long and 2–3.2 oz.
Do red-headed woodpeckers use birdhouses?
No. Cavity in dead trees or limbs.
Sources
- Red-headed Woodpecker — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Red-headed Woodpecker life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Red-headed Woodpecker — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.