Finding the Nest
About the Red-headed Woodpecker - They are cavity nesters and will primarily nest in dead trees. It’s usually the male that excavates the nest. They may also use already existing cavities. The clutch size is 1-5 eggs, typically 1 or 2. Incubation doesn’t usually begin until the last egg is laid and lasts 12-14 days. Both parents will incubate, feed the chicks and defend the nest.
Background - I monitored a nest of this *pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers in 2021 at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center. They had one clutch that we suspected failed, they tried again and raised one chick that successfully fledged. During the winter of 2021/2022 the dead tree they used broke off midway up. I did not see signs of nesting in the area the summer of 2022.
*Most likely it is the same pair, but of course it could be a different pair.
Nest Territory
Summer of 2023
1 July - I noticed Red-heads in the same area (Hummock Loop) being very active. I observed their behavior for some time, then noticed they were taking food to a nest cavity in another snag (dead tree). That’s when I saw the single nestling.
The location of this nest makes it difficult to get pictures, it is backlit in the morning and afternoon.
Observation - 1hr, 10min
Partly cloudy, 85F SE winds 10mph
After watching activity at the nest for a while I went to the parking lot area where the parents were going to capture bugs in the grass and in the air (acting like flycatchers).
Life got in the way and I wasn’t able to make frequent visits to the nest site to monitor the family.
My next visit wasn’t until 14 July. I checked at the site, no activity. I continued my bird walk and saw a Red-headed Woodpecker fledgling not too far from the core territory. I suspect this fledgling was from the nest. Good to know it was doing fine.
