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Dryobates borealis (Vieillot, 1809)
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Synonym(s): Picoides borealis
Florida native
Florida Species of Special Concern
U.S. Threatened species
The historic range of these small woodpeckers extended through the southeastern longleaf pine forests. Now red-cockaded woodpeckers are mostly limited to areas of wildlife refuges and national and state forests that are specifically managed for these birds.
The red cockade is a tiny line on the side of the head on males, and can rarely be seen in the field. These woodpeckers live in communal groups, with several generations in the same area. They require old longleaf pine trees where the heartwood has begun to rot for their cavities. The nests are partially protected from predators by the woodpeckers candling the tree around the cavity by pecking the tree and causing the sap to run.
Distinguished by the large white cheek and the bold black and white barring on the back. The breast and belly are white with softer black spots and barring.
Dryobates borealis is a member of the Picidae - Woodpeckers and Wrynecks family.
Other species of the Dryobates genus in the Wild Florida Photo database:
Dryobates pubescens - DOWNY WOODPECKER
iNaturalist profile for this species
For more information on this species, visit the following link:
Cornell Lab of Ornithology All About Birds page for this species
Date record last modified: Mar 06, 2025
