Michigan

in the Great Lakes

Red-headed Woodpecker

Did you know the male and female Red-headed Woodpecker look alike? Because of this, Red-headed Woodpeckers are known as monomorphic rather than dimorphic like most woodpeckers where the male and female appear different. Red-headed Woodpeckers have a red head, a black back and tail, and black and white wings.

Red-headed Woodpeckers characteristically peck mainly to find food like insects, build nests in tree cavities, mark territory, and attract mates with their sound.

Red-headed Woodpeckers typically migrate south for the winter from Michigan although some may continue to be seen in the southern part of the state.

The scientific name for the Red-headed Woodpecker is Melanerpes erythrocephalus.

Click here to see more about Red-headed Woodpeckers and hear what they sound like.