This 2¢ stamp replaced the Mary Lyon stamp that was part of the Great Americans set. The Postal Service felt wildlife stamps would be more popular than the older single-color set. The Red-Headed Woodpecker image is based on a painting by Michael Matherly, whose work was used for the American kestrel and Eastern bluebird stamps issued in 1991. The woodpecker used to be a common sight in the central and eastern United States, but has decreased in numbers due to habitat loss. This stamp was originally issued in sheet form in 1996. The 1999 coil stamp was sold in rolls of 10,000. The announcement of this stamp marked the first time the Postal Service identified this as the Flora and Fauna Series.