General Description: A non-migratory species similar in appearance to the hairy woodpecker, except that the top of the head is black, the cheeks conspicuously white, and the sides spotted with black. Birds are gregarious except during the breeding season. Males have an inconspicuous red streak above each ear. The average length is 7in (18cm). The nest is easily recognized by pitch that covers the bark below the nest entrance. These woodpeckers feed in the upper regions of large living pines. Food consists of insects and arthropods, including the larvae of wood boring insects, and some vegetable matter. They move from one tree to another, covering large areas in the course of a day. Vocalizations usually consist of high-pitched squeals. This species apparently mates for life. Two to seven eggs are laid in clutches and incubation begins before completion of the clutch. Hatching of the young is staggered. One or two young are fledged at about 26-29 days. The young are foraging for themselves at this stage but may continue to receive food from their parents for several months. There is never more than one breeding pair per colony although as many as 20 cavities may occur in a colony. The red-cockaded woodpecker is unique in that it is the only woodpecker that excavates a cavity in a living tree.

General Habitat: Nesting and roosting is tied very closely to over-mature pines, infected with red heart disease, caused by the fungus Formes pini.  The average age of trees in existing habitats are 85 years in a range from 59 to 167 years.  These mature pine forests must be fairly open and free of a hardwood understory.  Longleaf pines (Pinus palustris) are most commonly used, but other species of southern pine are also acceptable.  Foraging habitat is pine and pine hardwood stands 30 years old or older with foraging preference for pine trees 10in (25.4cm) or larger in diameter.  J. Strom Thurmond Lake is the only Savannah District Project that has confirmed Red-cockaded Woodpecker activity.

The last remaining Red-cockaded Woodpecker colony disappeared from the Hawe Creek site in McCormick County, South Carolina in 1992.  The Savannah District Wildlife Biologist, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service are currently considering the reintroduction of the species into appropriate habitat found in the J. Strom Thurmond Lake area.  Additional information and a detailed recovery plan are available from the District Wildlife Biologist.