It is important that the habitats of the Red headed Woodpecker be preserved. The more damage is done to their homes, the less places they have to live, and will eventually die off completely. Some of the reasons for the losses of habitat include: loss of nesting habitat due to reduction in the number of dead trees and snags, competition with European Starlings for nest cavities, habitat loss due to suburban development, loss of habitat due to changing agricultural practices that result in the loss of small orchards, larger monoculture fields, and removal of hedgerows. Some things that can be done are: maintain open areas with little understory, provide small and large snags and dead limbs on large living trees to provide nesting, roosting, and foraging opportunities, use prescribed burning to maintain a savannah-like condition with good aerial and ground foraging opportunities, and manage habitat so as to provide forest fragments greater than 5 acres with large snags for nesting and open areas for catching flying insects.
Also, educating one self about what they can do to help the environment is another important strategy. Donations to various wildlife organizations are helpful as well. These various organizations help contribute to preserving the trees and habitats of the Woodpecker. Donations go towards: Research on nesting and breeding behavior of red-heads, Research on successful red-head management practices, Educational materials and mailings, Distribution of published materials, Training sessions for land managers, and Training for outreach members (training the trainers). As long as there are advocates out there helping out this bird, it has a chance of survival, but that is exactly what it needs to make sure the there actually is a future: volunteers. If we overlook how we are causing damage to living things around us, then this bird does not have a chance, and will eventually die off forever.
Granted, this bird may seem like a pain because of the damage it causes to homes a buildings, but that is because it may have no where else to live. Their environment is being destroyed every single day...by us! What are we going to do to help save it? Go out and find out what you can do to help save this bird.
http://www.redheadrecovery.org/
