Photo of the Week: Red-headed Woodpecker

I always thought the crimson red head would stand out for me when I sighted a Red-headed Woodpecker.

But I was wrong.

It’s the bright white wing patches contrasting with the black back and the white underbelly that stand out for me, then I notice the brilliant red head.

Not common to see in our area, I was lucky to find the Red-headed Woodpecker this month at a nearby metropark.

The bird has found a favorite place to hang out in the park: an area filled with dead trees.

I noted the holes in the trees over the years, but somehow never seemed to find the Red-headed Woodpecker at the park until this month.

Not sure why, my timing must have been off.

Now I’ve seen one two weeks in a row!

A stunning black, white, and red bird to view against the blue sky on a winter’s day in Michigan.

After doing some research in my bird guides. I learned the Red-headed Woodpecker is about the same size as a Hairy Woodpecker. Which is about the same size as an American Robin.

The Red-headed Woodpecker is omnivorous, eating insects, nuts, spiders, earthworms, and fruits.

I discovered it’s only one of four North American woodpeckers to store food, and the only one known to cover the stored food with wood or bark.

In warmer temperatures, it catches insects in the air!