This Red-headed Woodpecker was sighted at Burgis Beach, Good Spirit Lake, Sask. in June 2014. It was originally noticed foraging on the ground under our bird feeder in our yard, which was not typical of our regular woodpecker visitors. Once identified as the Red-headed Woodpecker our research found that it was very uncommon for this area.
They commonly live in pine savannahs and other open forests. Also open pine, tree rows in agricultural area, standing timber in beaver swamps and other wetlands all attract the Red-headed Woodpecker. This bird is one of only four North American woodpeckers known to store food and is the only one known to cover its stored food with wood or bark.
This woodpecker hides insects in cracks in wood, under bark, in fence posts, and under roof shingles. Grasshoppers are regularly stored alive, but wedged into crevices so tightly that they cannot escape. The Red-headed Woodpecker’s diet consists of one third insects and two thirds plant material. They are one of the most skillful insect catchers among the North American woodpeckers.
For nesting, the Red-headed Woodpecker uses natural cavities in dead trees or dead parts of trees. They usually lay 3 to 10 pure white eggs, brooding once or twice per season.
Courtesy YFBTA member Darryl Stevenson
