Thursday, April 01, 2010

Red-bellied Woodpeckers

.
Red-bellied Woodpeckers used to be among the most regular visitors to our feeders. Then last year they pretty much stopped coming. However, they've been turning up again more often these past few weeks.

They usually fly in with a loud squawk, scattering any other birds that happen to be on the chosen feeder.

The males that I've seen in our yards and elsewhere seem to have more red under their chins than I've noticed in earlier years.




They prefer suet feeders but are willing and able to eat from seed-feeders if these are all that is available.


As you can see below, when they get going, the seeds start flying!

.

2 comments:

Jayne said...

We've had at least one red-bellied woodpecker around our garden all winter. He perches on the wall and fence rail to eat the seed I put out, or he'll climb the pine tree and eat from the suet feeders. I love your photos. I've never seen one on a tube feeder before!

Jeff said...

I don't think they really like eating from tube feeders but I guess if that's all there is ...