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Red-Headed Woodpeckerby TawnyOwl15 on June 16, 2008
Red-Headed Woodpeckerby joker on October 5, 2007
Red-Headed Woodpeckerby ptolemy on August 2, 2007
Red-Headed Woodpeckerby Gewurztraminer on June 24, 2007
Red-Headed Woodpeckerby melanerpes on April 10, 2006
Red-Headed Woodpecker
{{Distinguish|Red-bellied Woodpecker}}
The Red-headed Woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus, is a small or medium-sized woodpecker.
Adults have a black back and tail with a red head and neck. Their underparts are mainly white. The wings are black with white . Non-birders often mistakenly identify the Red-bellied Woodpecker as this species.
Their breeding habitat is open country across southern Canada and the eastern-central United States. They nest in a cavity in a dead tree or a dead part of a tree.
Northern birds migrate to the southern parts of the range; southern birds are often permanent residents.
These birds fly to catch insects in the air or on the ground, on trees or gather and store nuts. They are omnivorous, eating insects, seeds, fruits, berries and nuts.
Once abundant, populations have seriously declined since 1966 due to increased nesting competition from starlings and removal of dead trees (used as nesting sites) from woodlands. Many Northeastern states no longer have nesting red-headed woodpeckers.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/programs/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-headed_Woodpecker.html
They give a "tchur-tchur" call or on territory.
Popular culture
In 1996, the United States Postal Service issued a 2-cent postage stamp depicting a perched red-headed woodpecker. The stamp was discontinued at some time thereafter, but re-issued in 1999 and remains available for purchase to the present day.{{ref_label|stamp|Stamp|none}},{{ref_label|stampimage|Image|none}}
The animated cartoon character Woody Woodpecker appears to be a red-headed woodpecker.
References
* {{note_label|stamp|Stamp|Stamp}} {{cite journal
|title=Red-headed Woodpecker | journal=USA Philatelic | year=2006 | volume=11 | issue=1 | pages=31
}}
* {{note_label|stampimage|Image|Image}} {{cite web
|title=woodpeck.gif
|work=America's 1996 Stamps Program
|url=http://www.usps.com/images/stamps/96/woodpeck.gif
|accessdate=January 31
|accessyear=2006
}}