Field Marks: 9.25 in. A boldly patterned, sociable woodpecker of open woodlands and areas with scattered trees. Especially common where there are oaks and hickories; stores nuts in crevices in bark. Often seen perched conspiciously on tips of dead branches. Adults have whole head red; back, tail, and most of wings black; rump, wing patch and underparts white. Immature has black and red areas of adult replaced with brown, and two dark bars across white wing patch. Calls a loud, rattling "kweer" and various chattering notes.
Range: Breeds from s. Alberta, s. Ontario, and Quebec south to ne. New Mexico, Texas, Gulf Coast, and Florida. Winters north to Kansas and New Jersey.
