Five days ago I was very happy to photograph and take Red-headed Woodpecker videos at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge on a bright morning in Oklahoma.

Red-headed Woodpecker at their nesting cavity, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaRed-headed Woodpecker at their nesting cavity – Canon R7, handheld, f10, 1/1600, ISO 1000, +0.7 EV, Canon EF 100-400mm II at 400mm, natural light

This pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers have selected a dead tree next to a road at the refuge for their nesting cavity. In the early morning, it should have nice, soft light, but the light I had later in the morning wasn’t too shabby either.

I loved simply observing this mated pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers working on cleaning out their nest, I had to remind myself to take photos and video!

The sounds the woodpeckers made while chiseling away at the inside of the nest were easily heard from where I stood.

Red-headed Woodpecker next to a nesting cavity, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaRed-headed Woodpecker next to a nesting cavity – Canon R7, handheld, f9, 1/1250, ISO 1000, +1.0 EV, Canon EF 100-400mm II at 400mm, natural light

Sometimes, both birds were on the nesting tree; at other times, one would fly over and land on different nearby trees.

It was fascinating to watch them interact when they were both on the nesting tree, as shown in the video below.

I’m not sure if the pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers could see a predator in the sky that I couldn’t, but they both seemed wary and kept looking skyward when I took this video.

Sorry for the movement, I took the video handheld, resting my arm on the hood of the truck for support.

I very much enjoyed having this pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers in my viewfinder, and before long, I hope to see their young sticking their heads out of the nesting cavity!

Life is good.

Mia

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