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Woodpecker (Red-headed)

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Melanerpes erythrocephalus
Woodpecker (Red-headed)

Range

They breed from southern Canada to Gulf Coast, east of the Rocky Mountains and west of New England and eastern Canada. They may spend the winter in the southern part of their range.

Habitat

They live in open woods, farms, and orchards.

Body Traits

They are a mid-sized woodpecker, with a red head. They have a black back, wings and tail and bright white wing and rump patches.

Habits

They perch on dead standing trees watching for insects. They catch insects in flight.

Diet

They also eat seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, insects, bird eggs, nestlings, and even mice. They are thought to be the most omnivorous woodpecker.

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School subscriptions can access more than 175 downloadable unit bundles in our store for free (a value of $1,500).

District subscriptions provide huge group discounts for their schools. Email for a quote: sheri@exploringnature.org.

Reproduction

They nests in dead tree holes. Females lay 4 - 7 eggs.

Woodpecker (Red-headed)

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves/Subclass: Neornithes
Order: Piciformes
Suborder: Pici
Family: Picidae/Subfamily: Picinae
Genus: Melanerpes
Species: M. erythrocephalus

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