Bird Gallery Index

Red-headed Woodpecker image © Wayne Nicholas

Family:  (Picidae) Woodpeckers

Preferred Habitat:  Open woodlands wherever dead trees may be found.

Seasonal Occurrence:  Uncommon in all seasons.

Notes:  Unlike the more common Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpeckers have solid red heads, no horizontal stripes on back, and and display bold white patches on wings and base of tail in flight. Juveniles are brown with brown streaks on a white breast. The call of a Red-headed Woodpecker is similar to the gurgle of Red-bellies but higher pitched. When they drum on a tree, the sound is surprisingly soft. They may be seen at bird feeders and are known to store acorns for the winter in tree cavities. Red-headed Woodpeckers are resident birds in our area but not easy to find. Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary has been fortunate to have them present for the past few years. The Houston Bird Survey has more information and a distribution map.
- Susan Billetdeaux