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Red-headed Woodpecker

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

Please note: The Ontario population is estimated at less than 7000 pairs down from a population of approximately 10,000 pairs pre 1980.

COSEWIC Status: Endangered

COSSARO Status: Special Concern

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

The committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada is a committee of experts who determine the national status of native species thought to be at risk of disappearing from Canada. Members include academics, specialists, Aboriginal people or government, & biologists.

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Species at Risk Status

Endangered

This species is facing imminent extirpation or extinction.

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Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario

The committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario reviews the COSEWIC status reports for species that occur in Ontario, then makes recommendations on the appropriate provincial status of the species. Provincial status is identified on the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO) List.

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Species at Risk Status

Special Concern

This is a species of special concern because of characteristics that make it particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events.

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Credit: Ted Krug

Have you seen this species at risk? Report your sighting.

Habits and Reproduction

• Over winter in south-western Texas and return by the end of May.
• Widespread but rare in southern Ontario.
• Aggressive and will drive off Blue Jays.
• Eat insects, nuts, fruit, eggs, and nestlings of other birds.
• Oak acorns and beech nuts can be important part of diet.
• Males choose nest sites. They prefer cavities in a dead or partially dead deciduous tree, but will nest in living trees, hollow posts and utility poles.
• Adults often return to nest in the same cavity, the same tree or the immediate area.
• Monogamous.
• Females lay a clutch of 4 to 7 eggs between May and July.
• Both parents sit on the eggs and later tend the hatchlings.

Habitat

• Open deciduous forests, such as oak savannah with large mature trees.

Threats

• Habitat loss due to forestry and agricultural practices, dead tree removal, road mortality and competitions from European Starlings for nesting sites.
• Loss of habitat in wintering grounds also a factor.

Conservation Actions

• If it is safe to do so, leave large dead trees standing on your property. This will provide food and shelter for a range of species from woodpeckers, to owls and flying squirrels.
• Consider participating in the Red Shouldered Hawk and Spring Woodpecker Survey.