Will The Real Red-headed Woodpecker Please Stand Up

Whenever I post a picture of a Red-bellied Woodpecker, like the one below, there are folks who wonder, “Why isn’t he called a Red-headed Woodpecker?”

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Well, that wondering stops when the bird who actually bears that name shows up, as happened today in my backyard.

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This striking fellow skirted around the edges of the yard, never quite getting close enough for me to capture a crisp picture.

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I could tell he wanted to check out the feeders on the deck, but his rival for the Red-headed title (who happens to have a bigger beak) was jealously guarding the territory and refused to let him come near.

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It is rare for a Red-headed Woodpecker to make an appearance in my backyard, so I was thrilled to catch a glimpse of him.

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Now, I am busy brain-storming ways to bribe him into sticking around!

Published by kathydoremus

Amateur nature "photogriter." One who still marvels at majesty.

21 thoughts on “Will The Real Red-headed Woodpecker Please Stand Up”

  2. GORGEOUS! We have a huge pileated woodpecker visiting our feeders. I keep trying to catch a snap of him, but he is skiddish.

    1. I rarely get those, so you will probably here me squeal all the way in Mars if one shows up in my backyard. Hope he keeps coming and you can get a picture.

      1. and if I get “Woody’s” picture, I’ll be sure to share! I took a couple, but didn’t get a good one yet…

  3. Wow, they look so different. You get such an incredible variety of birds visiting you. You must be doing something right. I hope you convince your new friend to stick around.

  6. I had success a few years back with a suet feeder located under a small tree in an open yard. I think the suet was geared to orioles and blue birds. They like the wood edges.

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