I was golfing last week at Lake Monticello where, in addition to watching my balls sail around the course, I keep an eye out for wildlife. There are more deer at the Lake than resident humans, I believe, and lots of birds and animals. But about midway through my round I saw an unfamiliar bird with a brilliant white belly, but a jet-black body. Upon closer inspection, it was a Red-headed Woodpecker. A genuine Red-headed Woodpecker.
Lots of folks, when asked, will say they have seen lots of Red-headed Woodpeckers when, in fact, they are seeing Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Both have red on their heads, but the less common Red-headed Woodpecker has a head entirely of scarlet red. Their bellies are snow white and their backs are solid black with a prominent white strip running across. Both the female and the male appear the same.
Red-headed Woodpeckers’ numbers have been declining of late, largely due to declining habitat. They need woodland with aging trees since their bills are not capable of carving out holes and making nesting areas. Rather, they rely on natural holes in dying trees.
I saw a genuine Red-headed Woodpecker in my yard last year, but so far this year, just Red-bellied Woodpeckers.
These are semi migratory birds, going where they can find food, usually nuts. The male and female combine to build their one nest per year, laying 4 or 5 eggs.
Like blue jays and squirrels, these woodpeckers will actually store up nuts for later use. If you see a genuine Red-headed Woodpecker in your yard, you will know it. They are magnificent birds.