Species Comparisons • Backyard Identification
Acorn Woodpecker vs Red-headed Woodpecker
Acorn Woodpecker
Acorn Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Acorn Woodpecker
Acorn Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Acorn Woodpecker
Acorn Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Acorn Woodpecker
Acorn Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-headed Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-headed Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-headed Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red-headed Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Acorn Woodpecker vs Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus vs Melanerpes erythrocephalus): The Complete Backyard Identification Guide
Field Summary
Quick Answer: The Fastest Way to Tell Them Apart
The two Melanerpes hoarders split the continent. Three rules:
- How much red: a red crown patch on a black-and-white clown face = Acorn Woodpecker; the entire head glowing crimson = Red-headed Woodpecker.
- Body: mostly black with a white rump = Acorn; bold checkerboard — black with huge white wing patches over white underparts = Red-headed.
- Range: Pacific coast and southwestern mountains = Acorn; east of the Rockies = Red-headed. They barely meet, in west Texas.
At-a-Glance Comparison Table
West vs East, side by side. KEY rows separate fastest.
| Feature | Acorn Woodpecker | Red-headed Woodpecker |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Melanerpes formicivorus | Melanerpes erythrocephalus |
| Length | 9.0 in (23 cm) | 9.3 in (24 cm) |
| Wingspan | 16.1 in (41 cm) | 16.5 in (42 cm) |
| Weight | 2.3–3.2 oz (65–90 g) | 2.0–3.4 oz (56–97 g) |
| Overall Shape | Medium woodpecker with a bold black-and-white “clown” face | Medium woodpecker with a fully crimson head and bold “checkerboard” body |
| Male Plumage KEY | Black body with white rump and wing patches; white forehead and throat, black mask, yellow-white eye, red crown meeting the white forehead | Entire head crimson-red; black back and tail; huge white wing patches; clean white underparts (sexes alike) |
| Female Plumage | Like the male but the red crown is set farther back, separated from the white forehead by a black band | Identical to the male |
| Bill Shape | Straight, stout, gray-black | Stout, blue-gray |
| Tail | Black, stiff, braced against bark | Black, stiff |
| Core Range KEY | Oak woodlands of the Pacific coast and Southwest — Oregon and California to Arizona, New Mexico and west Texas | East of the Rockies in open woods, orchards, parks and along roadsides with dead trees |
| Migration | Non-migratory; colonies defend granary trees year-round | Partial migrant; northern birds withdraw in winter, following acorn crops |
| Feeder Presence KEY | Visits suet feeders and birdbaths in oak-country yards; colonies may adopt a feeder pole as a granary | Visits suet, nuts and cracked corn in open country yards; hoards acorns and beechnuts in bark crevices |
| Favorite Foods | Acorns stored by the thousand in granary trees; insects caught in flight; sap | Insects caught in flight, acorns, beechnuts, fruit and berries |
| Song | No true song — raucous “waka-waka-waka” calls instead | No true song — harsh calls instead |
| Flight Call | The laughing “waka-waka” chorus of a colony | A harsh, rising “queeah” |
| Population Trend | Stable where mature oaks remain | Declining — on conservation watch lists; dead trees are essential |
Male Field Marks, Side by Side
Acorn Woodpecker — Male
Melanerpes formicivorus
- Clown face: white forehead and throat, black mask, pale staring eye.
- Red crown touches the white forehead (male).
- White rump and wing patches flash in flight.
Red-headed Woodpecker — Male
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
- Fully crimson-red head — unmistakable adult.
- Checkerboard body: black with huge white wing patches.
- Flycatches insects and hoards acorns like a tiny lumberjack.
Female & Juvenile Marks, Side by Side
Acorn Woodpecker — Female
Melanerpes formicivorus
- Like the male, but a black band separates the red crown from the white forehead.
- Found in noisy family colonies around granary trees.
- Checks acorn stores constantly through fall and winter.
Red-headed Woodpecker — Female
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
- Identical to the male.
- Juveniles are brown-headed and streaky — a different look entirely.
- A year-round pair means standing dead trees nearby.
Part-by-Part Anatomy Breakdown
Both wear red — the amount and the face pattern settle it:
| Body Part | Acorn Woodpecker | Red-headed Woodpecker |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Black mask, white forehead and throat, red crown patch | Entirely crimson-red, neck included |
| Eye | Pale yellow-white, staring | Dark, set in the red |
| Back | Solid glossy black | Black, set against huge white wing patches |
| Underparts | Black breast, pale streaked belly | Clean white |
| Wings in Flight | Black with white patches | Bold black-and-white checkerboard |
| Juvenile | Like adult but duller, dark-eyed | Brown-headed and streaky — nothing like the adult |
| Hoarding Style | Granary tree: one acorn per drilled hole | Single acorns wedged into bark crevices |
Song & Call Comparison
Acorn Woodpecker
Melanerpes formicivorus
Voice: the raucous, laughing waka-waka-waka given by the whole colony.
Drumming: short, even rolls on dead limbs — and on granary poles in yards.
Acorn Woodpecker voice • Wikimedia Commons
Red-headed Woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
Voice: a harsh, rising queeah, plus dry rattles.
Drumming: slow, deliberate rolls on dead snags and poles.
Red-headed Woodpecker voice • Wikimedia Commons
Range & Seasonal Presence
The Acorn Woodpecker lives in oak woodlands of the Pacific coast and the southwestern mountains, from Oregon to west Texas.
The Red-headed Woodpecker lives east of the Rockies in open woods, orchards, parks and roadsides with standing dead trees; northern birds shift south in winter following acorn and beechnut crops. The two species meet only along the Texas Hill Country fringe.
Feeder Behavior & Favorite Foods
- Acorn Woodpecker: colonies visit suet feeders and baths in western oak yards; watch for acorns hammered into feeder poles.
- Red-headed Woodpecker: visits suet, cracked corn and nut feeders in open eastern country yards — a bird that rewards anyone who leaves dead trees standing.
- Best foods: suet and nuts for both; the Red-headed also takes fruit and catches insects on the wing.
- Conservation note: Red-headed Woodpeckers are declining; a yard with snags and open oaks can hold a pair year-round.
Temperament & Flock Behavior
Acorn Woodpeckers are communal and noisy — colonies chatter and bicker around granary trees all day.
Red-headed Woodpeckers are pugnacious loners — they flycatch from snags like flycatchers, defend nut stores fiercely, and even cover their caches with bark and wood chips.
6-Step Backyard ID Checklist
- Red coverage. Crown patch only = Acorn; entire head crimson = Red-headed.
- Face. White forehead + black mask = Acorn; fully red face = Red-headed.
- Eye. Pale staring eye = Acorn; dark eye = Red-headed.
- Body pattern. Mostly black = Acorn; checkerboard black-and-white = Red-headed.
- Range. Pacific/Southwest = Acorn; East of the Rockies = Red-headed.
- Storage style. Granary tree full of holes = Acorn; hidden crevices = Red-headed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you tell an Acorn Woodpecker from a Red-headed Woodpecker?
The Red-headed Woodpecker’s entire head is crimson-red, with a checkerboard black-and-white body. The Acorn Woodpecker has only a red crown patch on a black-and-white clown face, with a mostly black body.
Do Acorn and Red-headed Woodpeckers live in the same areas?
Barely — the Acorn Woodpecker is a Pacific and southwestern mountain bird; the Red-headed lives east of the Rockies. They meet only along the fringe of west Texas.
Which woodpecker stores acorns in holes in trees?
Both hoard acorns, but differently: the Acorn Woodpecker drills granary trees holding thousands of acorns, each in its own hole; the Red-headed wedges single acorns into bark crevices and may cover them with wood chips.
Are Red-headed Woodpeckers declining?
Yes — they have declined significantly and appear on conservation watch lists, largely from loss of standing dead trees and mast-producing oaks and beeches. Acorn Woodpeckers remain stable where mature oaks persist.
Do these woodpeckers come to feeders?
Yes — both take suet and nuts. Red-headed Woodpeckers also take cracked corn and fruit; Acorn Woodpeckers arrive in noisy family groups.
What does a juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker look like?
Brown-headed and streaky — so different from the crimson adult that beginners often think it is a separate species. Juvenile Acorn Woodpeckers look like duller, dark-eyed adults.
Key Takeaways
- Red Extent: Entire head crimson = Red-headed; crown patch only = Acorn.
- Face: Clown face with pale eye = Acorn; fully red face = Red-headed.
- Body: Mostly black = Acorn; checkerboard = Red-headed.
- Range: West = Acorn; East = Red-headed; overlap only in west Texas.
- Hoarding: Granary trees = Acorn; bark crevices = Red-headed.
- Status: Red-headed is declining — keep dead trees standing.