Lately, my home in the country has been all a whirl with the sights and sounds of one of my favorite birds. Few birds can rival the striking beauty of the red-headed woodpecker. With a brilliant crimson head, contrasting jet-black back, and gleaming white belly and wing patches, this medium-sized woodpecker is unmistakable. In good light, it almost looks painted. Known scientifically as Melanerpes erythrocephalus, this species has long captured the hearts of bird enthusiasts across North America, including here in East Texas.

Unlike many woodpeckers that spend most of their time clinging to tree trunks, red-headed woodpeckers are unusually versatile. They perch on fence posts, wires, or open branches like flycatchers, often swooping out to snatch flying insects midair. They also store food, caching acorns, pecans, and other nuts into bark crevices to retrieve later in the year. This behavior is essential to their survival during lean times and also contributes to forest regeneration as forgotten seeds sprout into new trees.

Red-headed woodpeckers are closely associated with open woodlands, savannas, and scattered large shade trees around farms, parks, and even some residential neighborhoods. Historically they thrived in the pine and oak savannas that once dominated East Texas, but like many species, they have declined with the loss of this habitat. Fire suppression, closed canopy forests, short rotation timber harvests, the proliferation of managed pastures, and the removal of standing dead trees have reduced their nesting opportunities. They are cavity nesters, relying on dead snags and large decaying limbs where they excavate their nest holes. They also require healthy ecosystems full of insects, berries, and nuts.

These birds are quite territorial during breeding season, with pairs aggressively defending their chosen nest tree. They usually raise one brood each year, with both parents sharing in feeding duties. Their loud, rolling “churr” call often echoes through the woods, announcing their presence even when they’re hidden from view. I witness this daily.

One of the best ways to support red-headed woodpeckers is to preserve or create the kind of habitat they prefer. If you live in the country or have acreage, leave standing dead trees or large dead limbs whenever it’s safe to do so, as they provide critical nesting sites. Managing your woods with periodic prescribed fire or selective thinning can help open up the canopy and recreate the savanna-like conditions they love. Planting and protecting mast-producing trees such as oaks, pecans, and hickories also benefits them by providing food.

Even suburban gardeners can help. A yard with mature trees, open lawn areas, and a few snag logs can attract them. They will occasionally visit feeders for suet, nuts, and sunflower seeds, especially during colder months when insects are scarce. And even better option is cultivating native nut and berry producing plants and avoiding the use of pesticides.

The red-headed woodpecker is more than just a pretty bird. It is an important part of the natural web, controlling insects, dispersing seeds, and signaling the health of our local woodlands. Seeing one flash across the yard in its bold black and white “tuxedo” is always a treat and a reminder of the wild heritage woven into our East Texas landscapes. With thoughtful stewardship, we can ensure these living jewels remain part of our woodland chorus for generations to come.

Greg Grant, Ph.D., is the Smith County horticulturist and Master Gardener coordinator for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Tyler. He is the author of Texas Fruit and Vegetable Gardening, Texas Home Landscaping, Heirloom Gardening in the South, and The Rose Rustlers. You can read his “Greg’s Ramblings” blog at arborgate.com, read his “In Greg’s Garden” in each issue of Texas Gardener magazine (texasgardener.com), or follow him on Facebook at “Greg Grant Gardens” or “Pines, Pawpaws, and Pocket Prairies.” More science-based lawn and gardening information from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service can be found at aggieturf.tamu.edu and aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu.