I was watching a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in the backyard the other day. He flew to a tree near the feeding area, briefly surveyed the scene…
…and then darted down to sample some seed. You can see in the picture below just a hint of why he is called “yellow-bellied.”
As he was busy munching away, the shrill cry of a hawk rang out, and he quickly went from right side up…
…to upside down, hiding underneath the “feeding trough” – which is a small pine tree with the center cut out to hold seed.
He stayed in that position for quite awhile, and then gradually made his way back up to the top side.
You can see how this fellow’s blotchy back feathers help him blend in perfectly with the bark and avoid being hawk bait!
Backyard Bird Nerd 
How fascinating, and what photographs! That one in mid-flight–and how each of them perfectly fit your narrative. It is equally so fascinating how nature equips the male with that shock of red on the head, or, in the case of cardinals, that shock of red, period, while leaving the female looking rather dowdy, yet so able to blend into her surroundings that that hawk is going to get her mate and not (hopefully) her, the one who brings forth offspring and will find another mate. It also, in my observations, fascinates me how very often at my feeders, its the female who will go to the feeder first, and only then will the male join her, as if self-conscious of being rather gaudily outfitted in comparison.
So true! I guess the females are plain for their own protection!
A wonderful set 👏
Thanks!
Amazing camouflage 😍🐦
Great sequence, beautifully photographed!
Thank you!
Stunning photos!
Thanks!