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Red Headed Woodpecker

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

Description:

The Red-headed Woodpecker is so boldly patterned it’s been called a “flying checkerboard,” with an entirely crimson head, a snow-white body, and half white, half inky black wings. These birds don’t act quite like most other woodpeckers: they’re adept at catching insects in the air, and they eat lots of acorns and beech nuts, often hiding away extra food in tree crevices for later. This magnificent species has declined severely in the past half-century because of habitat loss and changes to its food supply -The Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Habitat:

Woodland habitat along the Mississippi River. Thomson Causeway Recreation Area

Notes:

There were two individuals playing peek-a-boo with me. They would both constantly hop to the other side of the tree and peek around. With a little patience, I finally captured one on top of a rotting tree.

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21 Comments

beaker98
beaker98 8 years ago

Thank you very much Michelle!

Michelle238
Michelle238 8 years ago

Those pictures you took are beautiful!

beaker98
beaker98 8 years ago

Thanks Ashutosh Dudhatra:)

Ashutosh Dudhatra
Ashutosh Dudhatra 8 years ago

Beauty!

beaker98
beaker98 8 years ago

Thank you very much williefromwi and Sergio:)

Sergio Monteiro
Sergio Monteiro 8 years ago

Stunning.

williefromwi
williefromwi 8 years ago

Beautifully captured!

beaker98
beaker98 8 years ago

Thanks Antonio and armadeus! You're comments are always appreciated!

armadeus.4
armadeus.4 8 years ago

Your patience was beautifully rewarded Bill! Wonderful shots. Thank you for sharing :)

Very beautiful bird with amazing colors!!
Great photos, Bill.

beaker98
beaker98 8 years ago

Thanks Stephanie! Glad we share the same stomping grounds, and thanks for telling me they were there!

Stephanie R.
Stephanie R. 8 years ago

This is such a beautiful photo Bill. You really captured the rich colors of this beautiful bird!

beaker98
beaker98 8 years ago

Thanks James! One of those rare moments where the light and composition was all in my favor:)

James McNair
James McNair 8 years ago

Wonderful Bill

beaker98
beaker98 8 years ago

Thanks Caleb and InesVeloso!

beaker98
beaker98 8 years ago

Thanks Jim! Just got back and after all day, no pileateds:). I heard them, but never got my lens on one. Yes, I feel blessed to live so close to the Mighty Mississippi. There are so many areas to explore, I could never get bored.

InêsVeloso
InêsVeloso 8 years ago

great pictures!

CalebSteindel
CalebSteindel 8 years ago

Excellent photos, Bill!

Jim Nelson
Jim Nelson 8 years ago

I envy your proximity to these spottings...and you took some great photos. Well Done, Bill! Good luck today.

beaker98
beaker98 8 years ago

Thanks Mark! Headed back to the same spot today to see if I can get some pileated woodpecker photos. This area is perfect for a wide variety of woodpeckers.

Mark Ridgway
Mark Ridgway 8 years ago

Patience pays. Nice shots.

beaker98
Spotted by
beaker98

Thomson, Illinois, United States

Spotted on Feb 20, 2016
Submitted on Feb 20, 2016

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