These Red-headed Woodpecker photos were taken last month at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. I had one great day with this species in two spots on the refuge.

Adult Red-headed Woodpecker in Oklahoma, Sequoyah National Wildlife RefugeAdult Red-headed Woodpecker in Oklahoma

In one location on the refuge, Red-headed Woodpeckers were nesting in a dead tree, while in the other, a woodpecker was catching and chasing after mayflies.

I enjoyed watching the adult Red-headed Woodpeckers bring food to their young in the nesting cavity. The assortment of food was interesting because the parents brought both fruit and insects to their nestlings. Several times, I saw blackberries in the bills of the adults and also a round, blueberry-like fruit. The insects appeared to be beetles, mayflies, and other winged insects.

The first four photos in the gallery below were from the nesting tree; the others were from a section of the refuge where a cottonwood had tipped over close to the road and was still alive.

If you are viewing this on a desktop device click on the first photo in the gallery to open it larger and to scroll through the rest.

Red-headed Woodpecker poking its head out of its nest, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma
Adult Red-headed Woodpecker with berries at nest, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma
Red-headed Woodpecker with a beetle for its young, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma
Red-headed Woodpecker about to take flight, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma
Red-headed Woodpecker with a mayfly, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma
Red-headed Woodpecker on a bare branch, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma
Red-headed Woodpecker adult in a cottonwood, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma
Adult Red-headed Woodpecker in a cottonwood tree, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma
Perky Red-headed Woodpecker at Sequoyah NWR, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma
Back view of a Red-headed Woodpecker, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma

As much as I liked the close-up images I took of the Red-headed Woodpeckers, I also wanted to include the first four shots, showcasing the nesting cavity. I find it fascinating that this species creates nesting cavities in both dead and alive trees.

Adult Red-headed Woodpecker at Sequoyah NWR, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaAdult Red-headed Woodpecker at Sequoyah NWR

I’m thrilled that I was able to take so many photos of Red-headed Woodpeckers while visiting my friend Steve. I even saw one in his yard, but it was too far away to photograph. I hadn’t photographed this species since I lived in Florida, which seems so very long ago. I can’t say that I “got my fill” of Red-headed Woodpeckers, but I did find delight in having them in my viewfinder again!

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Red-headed Woodpecker photos plus facts and information about this species.