Red-headed Woodpecker in late January

February 1, 2016 by Mike Powell

I love the Red-headed Woodpeckers (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) at Huntley Meadows Park, though it is a strain on the neck trying to spot them, because they are always high in the trees. There an area along one of the paths at the park where I often hear the chatter of the Red-headed Woodpeckers, but it is rare for me to get an unobstructed view of one of them.

This past weekend, however, I managed to spot one of them poking about near the tip of a broken-off tree. It was a bit frustrating at first, because the bird kept its head pointed away for me, but eventually it turned its head and let me get a profile shot.

I lost sight of the woodpecker a few seconds and though it probably was hiding behind the tree. I was pleasantly surprised, however, when a bright red head suddenly peeked out from inside the tree cavity and I managed to capture that moment. Later, I was able to capture an image of a Red-headed Woodpecker with an acorn in its bill—at this time of the year, acorns seem to be one of the main food sources for these woodpeckers.

Posted in Birds, Nature, Photography, wildlife, Winter | Tagged Melanerpes erythrocephalus, Red-headed Woodpecker | 23 Comments

23 Responses

on February 1, 2016 at 7:22 am | Reply Dan Antion

They are so pretty – great shots Mike!
on February 1, 2016 at 7:53 am | Reply Chas Spain

How superb – the red is so vibrant
on February 1, 2016 at 7:53 am | Reply jwforeva

Aww they’re too beautiful and too cute! Fantastic shots Mike, you really do have an eye for nature’s small but precious wonders!
on February 1, 2016 at 8:39 am | Reply shoreacres

I recently learned that some of our natural areas allow certain dead trees to stand, to provide homes and shelter for woodpeckers, owls, and so on. I’d be thrilled to death to see a woodpecker poking its head out, as this one did. It’s a great photo.
on February 1, 2016 at 9:17 am | Reply cihearu - Chronicles of a Bionic Woman

Mike – I love these shots! The Red Heads are gorgeous, and I have been lucky to observe and photograph a nesting pair here. It’s so addictive, and seeing your shots will be my incentive to go out and see where “Mine” are hiding
Carol
on February 1, 2016 at 10:33 am | Reply Laura (PA Pict)

Beautiful shots! I am impressed with how you captured the texture and sheen of the red feathers. Granted I am a total amateur with photography, but I find reds really difficult to capture accurately. It is almost as if reds blow out a bit.
on February 1, 2016 at 10:51 am | Reply sally Morris

Wow! Those shots are fabulous. I’m sure The Wild Bird Center on Duke would be interested in hanging some of your shots. Your photos are better than the Peterson guide or the Audubon guide I have.
- on February 3, 2016 at 6:02 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Sally, for your continuous words of encouragement and support.
on February 1, 2016 at 12:29 pm | Reply Lyle Krahn

Getting the woodpecker inside the tree is a treasure! Well done.
- on February 3, 2016 at 6:02 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Lyle. I initially thought my eyes were deceiving me when I saw the little bit of red and only gradually did I come to realize the bird was inside the tree.
on February 1, 2016 at 1:34 pm | Reply v4vikey

Beautiful bird
- on February 3, 2016 at 6:00 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks so much.
on February 1, 2016 at 1:59 pm | Reply Charlie@Seattle Trekker

You really got a series of amazing photos of thisamazing bird.
- on February 3, 2016 at 6:00 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Charlie.
on February 1, 2016 at 4:18 pm | Reply svtakeiteasy

Brilliant Mike, such stunning colour! Patience paid off.
- on February 3, 2016 at 6:00 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Chris. I tend to think that patience and persistence are the keys to most of my best shots more than any special skills.
on February 2, 2016 at 2:06 am | Reply bcsongbird

Great shots! What a vibrant red. Love the first pic with his head sticking out!
- on February 3, 2016 at 5:56 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. I love these woodpeckers and was thrilled when I got the shot of the one sticking his head out of the tree–that’s a sight I had never seen before.
on February 2, 2016 at 2:10 am | Reply Robert Kirkendall

A beautiful bird!
- on February 3, 2016 at 5:55 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Robert. The Red-headed Woodpeckers are indeed spectacular. It’s especially wonderful to see them in the winter, a time in which bright colors are in short supply.
on February 2, 2016 at 4:49 am | Reply New Hampshire Garden Solutions

Excellent Shots!
- on February 3, 2016 at 5:54 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Allen. I can never get enough of these brightly-colored beauties.
on October 29, 2018 at 7:46 am | Reply Attraction of a red head | Mike Powell

[…] You might wonder why this woodpecker is not called a Red-headed Woodpecker. That name is reserved for a woodpecker that has a completely red head. For comparison purposes, I am attaching an image from 2016 of a Red-headed Woodpecker. If you’d like to see more shots of the Red-headed Woodpecker, check out the 2016 posting Red-headed Woodpecker in late January. […]