Above: Red-headed Woodpecker photo: Amanda Shave ©
How do I recognize it?
The Red-headed Woodpecker is a striking, medium-sized woodpecker (similar to the size of a Hairy Woodpecker). This bird can be easily identified by its fully red head and neck, its white belly, and black wings with big white wing patches. In flight, it may be difficult to see its red head but you can look for the large white patches on the wings. In this species, the males and females look the same.
Keep an ear out for the Red-headed Woodpecker’s drumming and its distinct call, which is a hoarse, high-pitched “tchur”.
This species behaves differently than many other woodpeckers, as it will often catch insects while in flight and forage for a variety of fruits and seeds from trees. It also has an interesting courtship dance, where pairs of males and females head-bob, perform wing displays, and play “hide and seek” around dead stumps.
Pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers, photo: Gillian Richards ©
Does it migrate?
The Red-headed Woodpecker does migrate (mostly)! While it doesn’t migrate as far as some other well-known birds, like the Arctic Tern, the Red-headed Woodpeckers that breed in Manitoba overwinter in the United States. In the southern part of their range (United States), Red-headed Woodpeckers may stay in the same general area year-round. On very rare occasions, Red-headed Woodpeckers have been spotted in Manitoba during the winter.
Where does it live?
The Red-headed Woodpecker has specific habitat requirements. It is found in areas with dead or dying deciduous trees (often aspen or oak), with little to no understory vegetation. For example, this bird is often seen in grazed cattle pastures and woodlots, or other areas with short vegetation such as treed urban areas, golf courses, cemeteries, and along forest edges and roadsides.
Example of Red-headed Woodpecker habitat photo: Amanda Shave ©
Where can I see it?
As mentioned above, these birds prefer dead standing aspen forests with minimal understory. Areas with high concentrations of Red-headed Woodpeckers within the province include the Oak Lake/Plum Lakes Important Bird Area (IBA), the Kinosota-Leifur IBA and the North, East, and West Shoal Lakes IBA.
Conservation Status
The Red-headed Woodpecker is listed as a ‘Threatened’ species in Manitoba (Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act) and in Canada (Species At Risk Act). Major threats to this species include loss of habitat (e.g., deforestation), vehicle collisions, and pesticides.
Did you know?
Red-headed Woodpeckers are very territorial. They are quick to fight other species including Pileated Woodpeckers and European Starlings. They may also remove eggs from other species nests and nest boxes, and destroy nests.
Written by Aynsley Woods and Marissa Berard