Red-headed Woodpecker

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

no photo — written note
photo: Wikimedia Commons
Birds

An unmistakable bird with a full crimson hood and bold white wing patches, tied to open oak savanna.

Field facts
HabitatOpen woodland, savanna, dead timber over water
RangeStatewide but patchy
When to lookYear-round; some move south
StatusNear Threatened; declining (Indiana DNR / IUCN Red List)
Look-alikesRed-bellied woodpecker — striped back

Field note: It is one of very few woodpeckers that stores food and covers the cache.

Lesson
Watching responsibly

Snag removal is its biggest threat. Leave dead trees standing.

Your records

No sightings yet. Log one from the Observe tab to earn this stamp.

Log a sighting