Wildlife & Conflict: The Red-Headed Woodpecker

Richard DeCola, John Delaney, Kirsten Chervenak & Tim Stukowski

Environmental Issues ENVL 4305
October 2018
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Introduction
The Red-Headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), is a distinctly colored bird found in
the east-central range of North America, including southeastern areas of Canada (Frei, Fyles, Berl,
Edwards & Nocera, 2015, p.639). Typically, these birds will occupy forested locations with trees of low
basal area, large snags, higher quantities of deadwood and low-density understories (Kilgo & Vukovich,
2012, p.328). Fire and events that create similar devastating aftermath attract the birds and provide ideal
habitat for nesting (Wells, 2010, p. 252). Nest cavities are excavated in dead trees or dead branches
usually about 20-35 feet above the ground (p. 251), and these cavities are are also suitable for secondary
cavity nesters. They are therefore classified as a keystone species (Jackson & Jackson, 2016, p.2). The
secondary cavity nesters can, in turn, increase rates of seed dispersal and germination in a post-fire
environment (Tarbill, Manley & White, 2015, p. 95). The Red-Headed Woodpecker breeds in open areas
and National Wildlife Refuges across the following states: Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri,
Kentucky, Arkansas, and Tennessee (Wells, 2010, p. 251) between April and July.
These woodpeckers have been classified as “Near Threatened” by the International Union for
Conservation of Nature, appear in the “D” Yellow Watch List of Partners in Flight (species with
population declines and moderate to high threats) and are a threatened species in the state of New Jersey.
All three entities cite loss or degradation of habitat as the main area of concern. The production of
charcoal in the nineteenth century is an example of an industrial scale operation that was detrimental to
forest health (Straka, 2014 p.112), and this type of historic habitat loss helps to explain the uncertain
status of populations of woodpeckers in America.
An omnivorous species, the Red-Headed Woodpecker has a diet that consists of nuts, seeds,
insects along with eggs and nestlings. They have been known to also eat small birds and mice. (Beal,
1911, p.35). These birds are subject to predation from land-based species such as the red fox (Errington,
1937, p. 54), while a two-year, summer study recorded the deaths of 13 woodpeckers by accipiters in
South Carolina (Vukovich & Kilgo, 2009, p. 548). Racoons, snakes and flying squirrels are also predators
for this woodpecker (Axley, 2002). As a secondary cavity nester, starlings will aggressively defend their
adopted nest with their claws and beaks, and they will usually outlast a woodpecker in these violent
confrontations (Jackson & Jackson, 2016, p.16). Regarding conspecifics, the red-headed woodpecker may
compete with red bellies for foodstuffs such as acorns, but they did not share or compete for nesting sites.
It has been found that when red heads attacked red bellies, the red bellies vacated the territory with little
resistance (Reller, 1972, p. 278).
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Methodology
There are two red-headed woodpecker nesting boxes on campus (see fig.1). The group went to
both locations and visually examined the habitat in which they are sited, and the condition of the boxes.
The nesting boxes themselves were in good condition anchored on top of metal poles. Both are supposed
to have plastic cones halfway up the pole to keep predators from the box and squirrels from making
unwanted nests. The red-headed woodpecker nesting boxes entrance-exit hole is the most important
dimension at 2 inches in diameter, at a height above the floor of 9 to 12 inches. The floor of the inside
should be 6 inches by 6 inches with wood chips littered on the floor, the depth of the box should be 12 to
15 inches tall. The height of the nesting box above the ground should be at least 12 feet but not more than
20 feet (Willand, 1970). See Figure 3 for blueprints of a potential birdhouse for the red-headed
woodpecker (70birds.com).
We deployed a motion sensor trail camera (WildGame Innovations Terra Lights Out with 10 MP)
pointed directly at the entrance of the nesting box near the observatory. The trail camera was used to
capture movement that occurs in the vicinity of the nesting box during the day and night. The diversity of
trees were considered for our survey of natural food sources including acorns and other nuts the red head
woodpecker eats. Our survey also included animals that could affect the population of these woodpeckers,
such as white-tailed deer whose fall and winter diets rely heavily on acorns (Johnson et al, 1995, p. 18).
The trees around the nesting boxes consisted of white oak, red oak, hickory, and pine.

Figure 1: Map and

satellite image of
Stockton
University’s campus
in Galloway, NJ,
highlighting the
location of the red-
headed woodpecker
habitat boxes.
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Results
Both locations were in an open forest environment suitable for birds to fly through without
interference of trees and branches. Based on the inspection of these sites for the red-headed woodpecker,
both sites have high suitability for housing, food resources, and rearing young. The high variation of tree
species such as white oak, red oak and hickory trees makes Stockton University’s campus a suitable area
for wintering red-headed woodpeckers. The trail camera recorded no viable data: either no animals were
present or the camera couldn’t capture the animal due to its speed. The locations for new nesting boxes
were considered by determining distance from open fields and water sources, and the results of those
overlapping layers were used for the first step in deciding new location (see Figure 2). The second step
would be to go out in the field in those areas to evaluate the habitat to see if they also are open forest
environments to choose a proper location.

Figure 2: Satellite image of the Stockton University campus proposing new locations for red-headed woodpecker
habitat boxes.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, sightings of the red-headed woodpecker were inconclusive between the use of trail
camera and basic observation. According to McCallum (2013), advances in camera traps such as longer
battery life, infrared illumination and miniaturization will increase the value of these devices for
ecological study in the future (p. 196). The bird box by Lake Pam was missing a barrier guard to prevent
squirrels from entering and possibly rendering the box useless. Studies have shown that “a positive
relationship existed between acorn abundance and wintering numbers of red-headed woodpeckers, a
species that relies heavily on acorns as a winter food source” (Smith & Scarlett, 1987, p.459). In early
September, red-headed woodpeckers will collect acorns and store them as an over-winter food source
(Kilham, 1958, p.107). It is possible that a high population of white-tailed deer in the area has a negative
effect on the food resources for wintering red-headed woodpeckers. Further research could determine if
red-headed woodpecker sightings might increase when white-tailed deer populations are lower.

Figure 3:
Interpretation of a red-headed woodpecker birdhouse design
originally by J. Willand, 1970.

References
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