Red-headed Woodpecker populations have declined throughout much of their range, and the species is now listed as Threatened in Canada and several U.S. states. Although the red-headed Woodpecker is a charismatic species, their nesting habits and population fluctuations make them a challenge to study. This, in part, may explain why we know less about their natural history relative to other North American woodpeckers. In this presentation, Dr. Elena West will share insights from a long-term study of red-headed woodpeckers in Minnesota, with a focus on their habitat needs, conservation, and recommendations for land managers.
(photograph by Siah St. Clair)