It was around this time last summer that I photographed this adult male Red-bellied Woodpecker. I saw him practically every day at the feeders.
Male Red-bellied Woodpecker in summer
The male Red-bellied Woodpecker was busy with his mate raising at least one of their young. He was showing the fledgling or fledglings where to find food, including at the suet feeder.
So far this year I haven’t seen any young Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and I’m also seeing the adults less frequently than I did last summer.
I do hear the Red-bellied Woodpeckers in the neighborhood, so I know they’re around. They might be a bit leery of coming to the suet feeder because the new male Eastern Bluebird is pretty aggressive, and this is their nesting season too.
I didn’t get to see, hear, or photograph Red-bellied Woodpeckers in the decade and a half that I lived in Utah, so I’m delighted when I see or hear them now. Getting photos of them now is always a wonderful bonus.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Red-bellied Woodpecker photos plus facts and information about this species.
Stunning shot! The colors are brilliant; the detail is wonderful and the eye contact is perfect. Thanks Mia.
I am so glad that you hear them and know that they are still in the area. I do hope that one of them braves a visit to your feeder soon.
What a wonderful close-up of this beautiful bird.—Jeri
Seeing a woodpecker always delights me!