Woodpecker identified by flash of red

This is a red-bellied woodpecker. It is sometimes confused with the redheaded woodpecker because both species have red on their heads. Both species are similar in size as well.

The red-bellied woodpecker sports a faint flash of red on its mostly white belly. It also can be identified by the pattern of black-and-white bars on its back and outsides of wings. This bird will eat many things, including acorns, insects, sunflower seeds and some fruits. Heaven to a red-bellied woodpecker must surely be a cherry tree full of ripe cherries.

Our forests are healthier with woodpeckers present because their primary diet consists of insects. Favored insects seem to be those that live in dead wood. Red-bellied woodpeckers normally nest in holes they have fashioned in dead tree snags. A fascinating habit of the red-bellied woodpecker is filling a den hole with nuts, insects and fruit. It will then defend its food stash against squirrels and other woodpeckers. Later, when there are nestlings to feed, it has a close ready source of food.

The photograph here resulted from three mornings of effort. This male red-bellied woodpecker came early each morning for a short time to the same location to feed. My first efforts to photograph him were fruitless, as I sat against a big tree in plain sight of the bird which would fly away as I moved the camera.

On the third morning I wore camouflage clothing and laid flat on the ground with the camera trained on one of his favorite places to land. Success!

Through the Woods is a weekly nature photo column by Aaron Horrell.