The Red-headed Woodpecker, with its striking bright red head, white body, and black wings, stands out as an easily recognizable species across North America. This distinctive appearance makes it a favorite among birdwatchers. Many wonder if this colorful bird is becoming rare.
Identifying the Red-Headed Woodpecker
Adult Red-headed Woodpeckers are medium-sized birds, measuring between 7.5 to 9.8 inches in length with a wingspan of about 16.7 inches. Their entire head and neck are a vibrant crimson, contrasting sharply with pure white underparts and a solid black back. Large white patches on their black wings are noticeable during flight.
Their flight pattern is direct and strong. These birds inhabit open woodlands, savannas, orchards, and urban parks, favoring areas with scattered mature trees and dead wood. While often confused with the Red-bellied Woodpecker, the Red-headed Woodpecker’s distinguishing characteristic is its completely red head, unlike the Red-bellied Woodpecker which has red only on the crown and nape with a black and white barred back. Juvenile Red-headed Woodpeckers have a gray-brown head, which gradually transforms to red during their first winter.
Current Conservation Status
While not globally classified as “endangered,” Red-headed Woodpecker populations have experienced significant declines across much of their range. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List currently lists the species as “Least Concern.” This designation was received in 2018 after being down-listed from “Near Threatened.”
Despite the global “Least Concern” status, the species remains a significant conservation concern. Long-term population analyses indicate substantial declines, with an estimated 86% global decline between 1970 and 2014. North American populations decreased by over 60% during the same period. In Canada, the population saw a decline of over two-thirds between 1970 and the early 2000s, though some recent data suggest a rebound. The Red-headed Woodpecker is classified as “Threatened” or “Endangered” in several U.S. states and Canadian provinces, including Ontario, Manitoba, and Quebec.
Factors Contributing to Decline
The decline in Red-headed Woodpecker populations is attributed to several factors, with habitat loss and degradation being a main cause. The conversion of mature forests, oak savannas, and open woodlands for agriculture and development has severely reduced suitable nesting and foraging grounds. These woodpeckers rely on dead or dying trees, known as snags, for excavating nesting cavities and for foraging. The removal of such trees from landscapes limits their available habitat.
Competition for limited nesting sites also impacts populations. Invasive species, particularly European Starlings, are aggressive cavity nesters that often outcompete Red-headed Woodpeckers for existing tree cavities. Changes in food availability, such as reduced insect populations due to widespread pesticide use, also contribute. The decline of mast-producing trees like oaks and beeches, due to disease or logging, affects their winter food supply of nuts and acorns. Road mortality from vehicle collisions is a factor, as these birds often forage near roadsides.
Conservation Efforts and How You Can Help
Conservation efforts for the Red-headed Woodpecker focus on habitat restoration and protection. Projects like savanna restoration, including prescribed burns to maintain open woodland ecosystems, help create and preserve their habitats. Research initiatives are underway to better understand their ecology and population dynamics. Public awareness campaigns educate landowners and the general public about the importance of dead trees and diverse forest structures for wildlife.
Individuals can contribute to conservation by planting native trees and shrubs on their property, particularly oak species, which provide food and potential nesting sites. Leaving dead or dying trees (snags) standing, if safely possible, offers important nesting and foraging opportunities for woodpeckers and other cavity-nesting wildlife. Participating in citizen science projects, such as eBird or the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, helps scientists monitor bird populations and track changes over time. Supporting conservation organizations dedicated to habitat preservation and avoiding broad-spectrum pesticides also benefits Red-headed Woodpeckers and other bird species.