Monday, December 28, 2015

Lots of Red-headed Woodpeckers

Every winter brings subtle differences to the local populations of our wintering birds. Casual observers may not notice, but some species are more numerous in some years than in others. The reasons are complex and varied.

Active birders have noticed there are significantly more red-headed woodpeckers around this winter than in recent years. Unlike some of our local woodpecker species, the red-headed woodpecker is a highly migratory species. Some years they move south in larger numbers than other years. Many of the birds being seen right now are immature birds lacking the brilliant red head of the adults.

I have noticed an increase locally in the past couple of months. Every beaver pond and flooded low woodland has multiple birds chattering and quarreling in typical red-headed fashion. They are the hot heads of the woodpecker tribe.

Adult Red-headed Woodpecker by Phil Fowler

Red-headed woodpeckers love open country with scattered large oak trees; and flooded woodlands influenced by beaver activity. They are conspicuous both with their gaudy and highly contrasting plumage and constant noisy chattering.

Many of the birds in our area right now are immatures which lack the red head and solid black back. The white wing patches also have some black feathering unlike the adults.

Immature Red-headed Woodpecker by Mary Sonis