Image ID 113558 Premium Services    Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) (top figure) Hand-colored lithograph, with outlines made by camera lucida, after J. W. Hill From: James Ellsworth DeKay, Zoology of New York, or the New York Fauna…. Vol. 1.2 of 6 (New York State. Geological Survey. Natural History of New York. Parts 1–6) (Albany, 1842–44) NYPL, Rare Books Division, Stuart Collection

Red-headed Woodpeckers are a fairly scarce species in the northeastern states, and are occasionally seen locally in winter, spring, and early fall. They favor open areas, and often hunt flying insects. Their stiff tails, and toe arrangement (two forward, two backward), enable easy ascent up dead trees as they chisel into the bark for the insects that are their primary food. Red-heads have the unusual habit of storing acorns and nuts in tree holes and crevices.

Check out the sighting log to record your interaction with some of the native New York City wildlife, such as the Red-headed Woodpecker, featured in Urban Neighbors. You may also browse the sighting log by animal, borough, park or natural area, and/or habitat to view a sighting you have submitted or to read others’ observations.