Woodpeckers with red heads are a captivating group of birds that consist of various different species. Despite having several similarities, woodpeckers with red heads do have their own distinct characteristics, habitats, and behaviors that vary from one species to the next. From the well-known yet elusive Red-Headed Woodpecker to the lesser-known and even more elusive Lewis’s Woodpecker, their diversity showcases the awes of nature.
While many woodpecker species feature a little red, we’re going to focus on species with more than just a small patch of red on the head. Let’s take a look at 10 different woodpeckers with red heads.
1. Red-Headed Woodpecker
Scientific Name: Melanerpes erythrocephalus
Red-headed woodpeckers prefer open woodlands, orchards, and areas with dead trees, which they will use for nesting. They are found throughout eastern and central North America, although their population has declined in some regions due to habitat loss.
The adults of this species have a fully red head that contrasts sharply with their black and white body. They are acrobatic hunters known for catching insects in mid-air. An interesting fact about these stunning birds is that they are only one of four North American woodpeckers that store food, and it is the only one that does so by covering the food with bark or wood.