My honey and I where sitting in the kitchen playing a game of Cribbage. When this beautiful Red Head flew on top of the feeder outside our kitchen window. In the 16 years we have lived out here we have never seen any Red Headed Woodpeckers. I was so excited I went to get my camera hoping he would stay for a photo shoot. Here my camera was right in front of me on the table. So I quickly got these pic's of him. He also has a sweet tooth, visited the hummer feeders several times. I had no idea that they where so aggressive. He chased every other woodpecker away from the suet. I am hoping that he will stay around and nest in the woods behind us. We do not cut down our dead trees so that the woodpeckers have a place to nest. But our neighbors cut down every dead tree. So sad. These Woodpeckers are rather rare in the Northeast part of Wisconsin. That is because of habitat loss, and competition from Starlings for nest holes in trees. So thrilled to see him in our yard.
WOW I'd be over the moon if a handsome bird like that visited my garden!! I really hope he does stay around, finds a mate, raises a family and becomes a regular visitor.
What a dashing visitor Tooty. It looks to me like he is surveying the location and I really hope he sticks around!
I was pretty thrilled to see that bird as well. I am so glad that you were alert and could get some shots. It is really nice to see North American birds on display here.
Way to go Tooty,..one of the Forums i am a member of has a bird spotting thread,..i have not seen the Red Headed Woodpecker posted there.
S-thank you. We had to go away for a week and have not seen him since our return. But at least I know he is around here. Phillip- I will have to check out that Forum. I was so thrilled to see him in our yard. My Mom use to have them where she lived in central Wis. They had a lot of Oak trees where they once lived, and these birds are acorn eaters, as well as bug. So with having more Oak trees becoming mature near our land must have drawn then here. 2ofus- Thank you also. He was so great to see in our area.
wish i had a good cam so i could take some pics of the birds in my yard. We like to feed the birds here, i have a bunch of feeders and a few baths for them and its very relaxing watching them as you already know. Thats a very cool looking woodpecker, i have never had one like that visit. We mostly have the Downy variety. They are my wifes favorite bird visitor.
Beautiful shot...and I have never had one in our yard either in Wisconsin in the 10-11 years at this house...lucky you! I always get excited when new birds visit my yard too...
Sorry all it took me so long to respond. Green Thumb--we have the Downy, Hairy, and Red Bellied woodpeckers also that visit our feeders. It is such fun watching them. Sherry- we where so surprised to see him stop by. Like you-we have never had them here before. My Mom used to have ones that visited her feeders. But they lived in an area where there was a lot of Oak trees which attracts the Red Headed woodpecker. Yes-it is so fun to have new birds start coming to ones feeders. K and Island that you. Island we have not seen him back at our feeders all summer. I think he may have been just passing through and we where blessed to have him stop and visit. Hopefully this fall he will return as he migrates south.