Red-bellied Woodpecker

 Red-bellied Woodpecker (female) in my yard 12-3-2014

It’s my birthday today, so I am posting photos of one of my favorite birds. I love all woodpeckers and was so happy to finally have a Red-bellied Woodpecker show up in my yard this winter. I had one last spring, but it was just passing through. This one has stayed around but she is quite elusive and I only catch brief glimpses of her. I have discovered she loves peanuts, though. But so do the Blue Jays and when they discover I have put them out they swoop down and gobble them all up! Still, sometimes she is able to sneak in and grab one before she has to flee!

This female Red-bellied Woodpecker has been hanging around all winter.

She is quite the acrobat! Just look at her twist and fly!

You can tell the female from the male by the limited amount of red on the head.

A male Red-bellied woodpecker has a full red head from its nape to its beak.

 Red-bellied Woodpecker at Simpson’s Point 12-2-14

I also found one over at Simpson’s Point, just a few miles east of Mere Point.

Female Red-bellied Woodpecker 12-2-14

I photographed these birds last year in December. I hope that maybe this year I can get an even better picture of them, but until then, I will just keep enjoying them whenever I see them. They are such characters! However, so far I have only seen females. If there is going to be a new generation, sooner or later a male will have to show up! Maybe then I can get his picture too!