Wendy Zheng, Randall Carter School

Passaic County

Red-headed Woodpecker

You down there! I'm the red-headed woodpecker. Why are you endangered us? What did we ever do to you? You don't want to endanger an adorable little creature like me, do you? Please help us to get off this endangered list.

You still might not see me, but I have a red head, a white belly, and black wings with large white patches on each side. I'm about 10 inches (25 cm) tall. We breed from Saskatchewan Manitoba, Quebec and south to Florida and the Gulf Coast. We are scarce in the northeastern states. During the winter we breed in the southern part of the breeding range. You could find us on telephone poles or in the trees.

Well I have been threatened by you humans. Could you please help us now? You could help by only cutting down trees that you need to use. Do not cut down a while forest all at once! Most of the times it is just a waste of our time! We make our homes and they disappear when we come back.

Now you know all about me, what do you want to do now? It better be something like trying to plant more trees or maybe even saving paper by using both sides. If you don't, we will be hone before your very own eyes.

Wendy Zheng

Randall Carter School

Wayne, New Jersey

Mrs. Lucci