Behavior The red-headed woodpecker spends the majority of its time foraging. Whether watching for flying insects or foraging on the ground, it is usually searching for food. In autumn, this woodpecker stores food for the winter. In most locations red headed woodpeckers are permanent residents. The ones that breed in the northern and western areas migrate to southern states in the winter.
Migration is done by day and for short distances.
There are no records of red headed woodpeckers occurring south of the United States. Starting around April the red-headed woodpecker switches some of its time to finding a mate. Once a family is formed both of the sexes share parental care. The red-headed woodpecker avoids unbroken forest, favoring open country or at least clearings in the woods. Forest edges, orchards, open pine woods, groves of tall trees in open country are likely habitats.