I’m sharing three photos of a male Red-bellied Woodpecker that I took yesterday on the Winter Solstice, which also marks the first day of astronomical winter.
Male Red-bellied Woodpecker on the first day of winter – Canon R7, f8, 1/200, ISO 1250, Canon 100-400mm at 400mm, natural light
The day started off pretty chilly—I saw a low of 23°F—but it was bright and sunny. It took a while for the birds to come in, but after a bit, the bird activity picked up and was hopping.
The Red-bellied Woodpecker has started coming to the feeder for the peanuts; he sure seems to enjoy them.
Male Red-bellied Woodpecker with a peanut – Canon R7, f8, 1/1250, ISO 500, Canon 100-400mm at 400mm, natural light
Once the sun rose higher, the light was gorgeous. The Red-bellied Woodpecker made several trips to the feeder to snatch up peanuts. At times, he would fly to nearby trees to eat the nuts. Other times, he flew further away—perhaps he was caching those peanuts.
Winter Red-bellied Woodpecker male – Canon R7, f8, 1/1250, ISO 500, Canon 100-400mm at 400mm, natural light
This last image shows the ‘red belly’ that gives this woodpecker species their name. It isn’t much of a red belly at all.
The male Red-bellied Woodpecker was wary of a Northern Mockingbird that had been terrorizing nearly all the birds visiting the feeders. As soon as the woodpecker saw the mockingbird, he would take off, with or without a peanut.
I’m glad the Red-bellied Woodpeckers have started visiting the feeders again. I missed photographing them after their breeding season ended, when they stopped coming as often.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Red-bellied Woodpecker photos plus facts and information about this species.
Woodpeckers are on of my favorite families. I love the Red-bellies, and here in AZ we have the similar Gila Woodpecker. The Gila looks almost the same, except it has a little red yamika on the head of the male, instead of the full red band from beak to shoulder, and it has a yellow belly instead of a red belly. The bellies are seldom seen. The color is down between their legs, and you can only see it if they are clinging to something in a strange position. It makes me wonder why Nature put such a pretty color in such a delicate and hidden area. What purpose does it serve?
Love your photos. Merry Christmas. May your New Year be filled with Peace, Love, Joy, and Birds.