Features: A vivid red head, neck and breast make the Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) easily recognizable. This medium-size bird (20cm) lives in open woodland and woodland edges, especially in oak savannahs and riparian forest, which can often be found in parks, golf courses and cemetaries. These habitats contain a higher density of dead trees, which they commonly use for nesting and perching. It is an omnivorous species, feeding on insects in the summer and nuts in the winter.

Status: Special Concern Provincially, Threatened Nationally

Range: The Red-headed Woodpecker lives in southern Ontario where it is widespread but rare. Outside Ontario, it lives in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec and it is relatively common in the United States. Range Maps

Threats: The Red-headed Woodpecker population has declined by more than 60%in Ontario in the last 20 years because of habitat loss due to forestry and agricultural practices, and competition from European Starling for nest sites. In some areas, birds get killed on the roads when they are foraging for insects. The removal of dead trees is in which it nests is also believed to be a significant factor in its decline.

Protection: The Red-headed Woodpecker is protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. There is no management of the species in Ontario.

Text Sources: COSEWIC 2007; Cadman et al. 2007

Last Modified Date: June 2008