What the Redheaded Woodpecker Needs

Woodpeckers help control insect populations and create nest cavities that are used by other birds and mammals who cannot excavate the cavities themselves. Nuthatches, screech owls, kestrels, starlings, squirrels, flying squirrels, deer mice, and raccoons all use woodpecker tree cavities.

Woodpeckers are well adapted to maneuvering around tree trunks searching for insects and spiders. Their toes—two facing forward, two facing backward—enable woodpeckers to grasp vertical tree trunks and their stiff tail feathers provide an extra measure of support. With their sturdy beaks, woodpeckers can bore holes into trees for feeding and chisel out cavities for nesting. Strong muscles at the base of the beak act as shock absorbers to absorb the pressure from the force of impact. Bristles lining their nostrils filter out dust and tiny wood chips. To extract insects from crevices and holes in trees, woodpeckers have a long, sticky tongue with a barbed end with which they can snag insects. Some woodpeckers prefer dead trees in which to excavate a nest while others choose live trees. Some species will re-use a nest cavity from year to year while others prefer to create a new one. Red-headed woodpeckers will use an existing cavity, not necessarily of their own making.

Habitat loss poses the greatest threat to woodpeckers. Developers often cull dead trees from wood lots leaving the red-headed woodpecker without the dead and decaying trees they need to nest and raise their young. In addition, developed areas often encourage the presence of starlings, non-native birds that invariably out-compete and displace woodpeckers for nesting sites.

Red-headed Woodpecker has some predators, such as raptors (hawks, falcons, owls), and red-foxes. Eggs and chicks are taken by snakes, raccoons and flying squirrels.     

Red-headed Woodpecker feeds in open areas. It needs snags for nesting, roosting and foraging. It can be found in open deciduous woodlands, orchards, parks, agricultural areas, grasslands, forest edges, burned forests.

In order for the Redheaded Woodpecker to thrive, they need to have these dead trees and various forests and agricultural areas around. If they are not around, the bird cannot nest and feed, which will cause them to die out. Predators are also a threat, but not as much as humans are since we are in control of their habitat. Considering over the last few decades where building has increased dramatically, we have caused their habitat to be destroyed. Could imagine if that were us, and we had no where to go and nothing to eat?