Red-headed Woodpecker

(Melanerpes erythrocephalus)

Conservation Status
Red-headed Woodpecker
Photo by Bill Reynolds
  IUCN Red List

NT - Near Threatened

 
  NatureServe

N5B, N5N - Secure Breeding and Nonbreeding

SNRB, SNRN - Unranked Breeding and Nonbreeding

 
  Minnesota

not listed

Species in Greatest Conservation Need

 
           
           
           
 
Description
 
 

 

 
     
 

Size

 
 

9 to 9½ in length

17 wingspan

 
     
 

Voice

 
   
   
     
 

Similar Species

 
     
     
 
Habitat
 
 

Open decidouos woodlands, river edges, roadsides with groves of trees

 
     
 
Ecology
 
 

Migration

 
 

Late March to late October

 
     
 

Nesting

 
 

 

 
     
 

Food

 
 

 

 
     
 
Distribution
 
 

Occurrence

 
 

Uncommon migrant and breeder

 
         
 

Maps

 
 

The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union All Seasons Species Occurrence Map

 
         
 
Taxonomy
 
  Class Aves (birds)  
 

Order

Piciformes (woodpeckers, barbets, and allies)  
 

Family

Picidae (woodpeckers)  
  Subfamily Picinae  
 

Genus

Melanerpes (Melanerpes Woodpeckers)  
       
 

Subordinate Taxa

 
 

Some authorities recognize two or three subspecies, but this separation is generally considered unwarranted. Under this classification, only Melanerpes erythrocephalus erythrocephalus has a range extending into Minnesota.

 
       
 

Synonyms

 
 

Melanerpes erythrocephalus caurinus

Melanerpes erythrocephalus erythrocephalus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Visitor Photos
 
           
 

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Luciearl

 
    Red-headed Woodpecker      
 

Kate Fitzgerald

 
  I hadn’t seen a red headed woodpecker for many years, so when I moved to Mower County I was thrilled to start seeing them again.   Red-headed Woodpecker  
 

Joan Rock

 
 

Spring visitor

 
    Red-headed Woodpecker      
 

JPar

 
 

This bird has been hanging around our backyard feeders this afternoon. This is the best picture I could get – he/she was a little camera shy.

  Red-headed Woodpecker  
           
 

Bill Reynolds

 
    Red-headed Woodpecker      
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
 
 

 

 
           

 

Camera

 

     
 
Slideshows
 
  Red-headed Woodpecker
Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren
 
  Red-headed Woodpecker  
  Red-headed Woodpecker
JMC Nature Photos
 
  Red-headed Woodpecker  
  Red-Headed Woodpecker 2008
petersonfieldguides
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Feb 23, 2009

The bold, bright pattern of the Red-headed Woodpecker makes it a favorite among birders.

 

 

slideshow

       
 
Visitor Videos
 
       
 

Share your video of this bird.

 
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Other Videos
 
  Red-headed Woodpecker
paulasullivan
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Nov 20, 2007

Drilling a hole in a dead maple tree at Chinquapin Park, Alexandria, VA, this bird has been seen consistently at this location since Nov. 15, caching acorns for the winter.

   
  Red Headed Woodpecker up close
natureofanimals
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Dec 12, 2008

the redheded woodpecker up close on the north shores of lake erie

   
  RED-HEADED WOODPECKER AND ITS CALL.AVI
TEABERRYEAGLE
 
   
 
About

Published on May 5, 2012

"Red-Headed Woodpecker" in Virginia with its call.

   
  Red-headed Woodpecker (Picidae: Melanerpes erythrocephalus) Nest
Carl Barrentine
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Jul 1, 2009

Photographed at Grand Forks, North Dakota (01 July 2009).

   
  Red-Headed Woodpecker
Mike McDowell
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Sep 7, 2008

Red-headed Woodpacker at work.

   

 

Camcorder

 
 
Visitor Sightings
 
           
 

Report a sighting of this bird.

 
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Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Be sure to include a location.
 
  John Callender
11/25/2022

Location: Crosslake, MN

Usually don’t see red heads after mid September but are seeing one every day right now

 
  Gail
5/18/2022

Location: New Brighton, MN

Showed up early last week and has been visiting mine and our neighbors’ backyard feeders for days.

 
  Gerry Timm
5/15/2020

Location: Orono MN

feeding at my feeder for days.

 
  Steve Hettig
9/16/2019

Location: Renville County corner of 670th Ave.  and 440th Street

adult

 
  Block
9/14/2019

Location: Le Center, MN

I saw two of them and they came to our birdfeeder today. First time I’ve seen them.

 
  Luciearl
2/12/2019

Location: Cass County

Red-headed Woodpecker

 
  Kate Fitzgerald
7/11/2018

Location: Lake Louise State Park, Mower County

I hadn’t seen a red headed woodpecker for many years, so when I moved to Mower County I was thrilled to start seeing them again.

Red-headed Woodpecker

 
  Joan Rock
5/24/2017

Location: Redwood County

Spring visitor

Red-headed Woodpecker

 
  JPar
5/18/2017

Location: Rochester, MN

This bird has been hanging around our backyard feeders this afternoon. This is the best picture I could get – he/she was a little camera shy.

Red-headed Woodpecker

 
  Joan Rockfield
5/8/2017

Location: Redwood Falls MN

This bird came to our tray feeder one spring day.
It stayed all day, eating all day. The next day, it was gone.

 
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings
 
   

 

 

Binoculars

 

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