RedHeaded

Red-Headed Woodpecker

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

Red-Headed Woodpecker

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

An opportunistic feeder, catching insects on the fly or on the ground it feeds not only on a wide variety of insects but also collects acorns, beechnuts and other nuts and stores them in holes or crevices to eat later in the winter.

Favoring open country and forest edge habitat with groves of tall trees, the Red-headed Woodpecker used to very common in eastern North America. Now considered uncommon to local it has continued to decrease in numbers for reasons unknown. Loss of potential nest sites from the cutting of dead trees and competition for nest sites by starlings as well as being struck by cars may have attributed to their decline.

Deepbrook Nature Photography

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