Red-headed Woodpecker

A Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) is a medium-sized bird native to eastern and central North America. It is easily recognized by its striking, solid red head, which contrasts sharply with its black and white body.

The Red-headed Woodpecker has a compact, stout body. Adults have a head and neck that are completely bright red, a stark contrast to their black back and tail. They have a white underside and large, white patches on their wings that are highly visible in flight. Males and females have identical plumage.

These woodpeckers are found in a variety of open woodlands, especially those with dead trees or snags, as well as in orchards, savannas, and along rivers. They are omnivores with a diverse diet. They eat a variety of insects, including beetles and grasshoppers, as well as nuts, seeds, and fruits. They are one of the few woodpeckers known to catch insects in flight.

Red-headed Woodpeckers are known for their unique behavior of storing or caching food. They will wedge nuts and acorns into crevices in trees, fence posts, or logs for later use. They are also known to actively defend their territories and food sources from other birds.