Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), a Special Concern species in Wisconsin, is a medium-sized woodpecker with a bright red hood and glossy black upper parts that contrast with a white body and wing patches. This species favors open upland sites with scattered trees, such as oak and pine savannas or tree rows in agricultural areas, and, to a lesser extent, lowland forests. As a cavity nester, key habitat elements include large snags and dead limbs. The recommended avoidance period is May 10 - August 15. See the species guidance document for avoidance measures and management guidance from the Natural Heritage Conservation Program.
