Red-headed Woodpecker

The take

The whole head crimson — scarcer every decade, and worth reporting when you find one.

How to ID it

• Entire head bright crimson-red on adults, with a black back and snow-white underparts.
• Large white wing patches make the lower back look all white when perched.
• Catches insects in midair flycatcher-style and caches food in bark crevices; sexes look alike.

Field marks at a glance

Size

medium

Head

entirely bright red

Call

harsh churring queer

Where & when

Year-round, but scarce and local

Learn more

• allaboutbirds.org