Monday, October 31, 2011

Red-bellied Woodpecker

The red-bellied woodpecker is a common woodpecker in the eastern half of the United States. Here in Minnesota you find them mostly in the south eastern part of the state. I most often see them in the summer foraging in the trees for insects. They use their long tongue with its barbed end and their sticky saliva to catch insects and spiders. During the winter I often see them at bird feeders. They are usually feeding on the suet at the feeders but they will also eat seeds and fruit especially during the winter.

3 comments:

Ida said...

Such a pretty bird. We have a woodpecker who shows up every summer and pecks away on the same telephone pole day after day. I've named it, "Woody" after the cartoon Woody Woodpecker.

Kala said...

I cannot believe how vividly red its head is! Great shot.

Kay L. Davies said...

Was looking at your peregrine falcon post and saw this photo. Someone was having a good hair day!

Kay, Alberta, Canada
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