Red-headed Woodpecker
A declining open-woodland woodpecker that uses insects, mast, and fruit; retain cavities and trees rather than relying on a routine feeder.
By Birdly Yard Editorial TeamReviewed Updated
Local season
Months with a state-level historical signal for this species.
Status
Backyard reports
Look for it
Look in open oak or beech woodland, dead timber, orchards, savanna, parks, farmland, swamps, and forest edges with scattered trees.
Food
Insects, nuts, acorns, fruit, seeds, and occasional small animal food; it is also an accomplished aerial insect catcher.
Nesting
Natural nesting guidance
One useful next step
Build for the habitat, not just the feeder.
Keep mature oaks and beeches, open woodland structure, and safe standing dead or dying trees with cavity potential.
See the yard actionsA good yard is layered
Food helps, but cover, clean water, native plants, and a safe distance from hazards make a more dependable place for birds.
Red-headed Woodpecker habitat
Keep mature oaks and beeches, open woodland structure, and safe standing dead or dying trees with cavity potential.
Red-headed Woodpecker diet and food
Insects, nuts, acorns, fruit, seeds, and occasional small animal food; it is also an accomplished aerial insect catcher.
May use winter suet, nuts, or fruit, but offer these only as a supplement and prevent aggressive crowding at a small station.
How to attract it
Food & feeder
Insects, nuts, acorns, fruit, seeds, and occasional small animal food; it is also an accomplished aerial insect catcher.
Cover & plants
Keep mature oaks and beeches, open woodland structure, and safe standing dead or dying trees with cavity potential.
Red-headed Woodpecker nesting and breeding
Excavates or reuses cavities in dead trees or dead portions of live trees; leave active cavities untouched and avoid a generic birdhouse plan.
Red-headed Woodpecker behavior and where to look
Perches for flying insects, caches nuts and insects in wood crevices, and can be irregularly present from year to year.
Photography
Wait at a distant perch, snag, or winter food source and do not interfere with caching or cavity access.
What to avoid
Do not remove safe dead trees, use heavy insecticides, or place an unguarded nest box where this territorial species can disrupt others.
Continue exploring
Explore related bird guides
Compare food, habitat and nesting. Local seasonal records vary by species.
