The Red Headed Woodpecker is a bird species that's native to Pennsylvania, and it's a real treat to spot one in the wild. They're known for their distinctive red heads and black-and-white striped backs.
One of the most notable characteristics of the Red Headed Woodpecker is its bright red cap, which covers the top of its head. This vibrant coloration serves as a warning signal to other birds that this woodpecker is protected by law.
These woodpeckers are medium-sized birds, typically measuring between 7 and 10 inches in length. They have a stout body and a short, square tail.
The Red Headed Woodpecker's diet consists mainly of insects, which it finds by drumming on trees with its strong beak. This drumming is a key way for the woodpecker to communicate with other birds.
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Woodpecker Basics
The red-headed woodpecker is a medium-sized bird, measuring around 7-8 inches in length.
They have a distinctive red head and black-and-white striped back.
These woodpeckers are found in open woods and fields in the southeastern United States, including Pennsylvania.
Their diet consists mainly of insects, which they extract from trees using their long, pointed beak.
Red-headed woodpeckers are known for their loud, shrill calls, often described as a loud, screeching "pik" or "peek".
They typically nest in cavities of dead or dying trees, often using old woodpecker nests or other existing cavities.
Red Headed Woodpecker
The Red-Headed Woodpecker is a stunning sight to behold, with its vibrant red head and black patches on its shoulders and backs.
These woodpeckers are usually around 8-9 inches in length, and their wingspan can reach 16-18 inches across.
One of the unique characteristics of the Red-Headed Woodpecker is its ability to hunt for insects in the air, unlike other woodpeckers.
They also consume other foods like beech nuts and acorns, and will even store extra rations in tree cavities and holes to last them throughout the winter.
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Their colorful plumage makes them easily identifiable, with bold black and white stripes on their backs and patches of white near their wingtips during flight.
Their red head is a standout feature, and it's worth noting that their coloration is actually quite pale, with the red on their caps standing out against their otherwise muted tones.
As they age, their brown feathers transform into a magnificent scarlet coloration, making them one of the most beautiful woodpeckers you'll find in Pennsylvania.
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Melanerpes Erythrocephalus
The Red-Headed Woodpecker is a stunning bird, and its scientific name, Melanerpes erythrocephalus, is a mouthful.
One of the most distinctive features of the Red-Headed Woodpecker is its vibrant red head, which is actually quite pale for the most part, but the red on the caps of their heads definitely stands out.
These woodpeckers have a wingspan of 16-18 inches across, which is impressive, and their length is typically around 8-9 inches.
In fact, the Red-Headed Woodpecker is one of the most beautiful woodpeckers you’ll find in Pennsylvania, with a magnificent scarlet coloration on their heads that's only matched by their black and white striped backs.
They have a unique way of hunting for insects in the air, which is unlike other woodpeckers, and they'll even store extra rations in tree cavities and holes to last them throughout the winter.
Their underside is white, while the tail and wings are mostly black, with white secondary feathers and a white rump, creating a lot of contrast between the white and black feathers.
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Life Cycle & Reproduction
The Red Headed Woodpecker's life cycle is a fascinating process. They typically breed in the spring and summer months, with the female laying 2-5 eggs in a nest excavated by the male.
The female Red Headed Woodpecker incubates the eggs for about 12 days, after which they hatch and the young birds are fed by both parents.
Both parents take turns feeding and caring for the young, which leave the nest after about 24-30 days.
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