We have had a spectacular visitor recently – a Red-bellied woodpecker, several, actually. These are beautiful birds with a scarlet red head patch and well-defined black and white wing markings. Against the backdrop of snow, they are stunning.
These medium-size woodpeckers have primarily been drawn to the Peanut Delight Suet Bar I have hanging, but they have also made frequent trips to the buffet table that is my sunflower heart feeder.
They visit throughout the day.
Red-bellied Woodpeckers are often mis-identified as Red-headed Woodpeckers. They do have bright red patches on their heads, but Red-headed Woodpeckers have an entirely red head with distinct white and black bodies. Red-bellied Woodpeckers are fairly common, while the true Red-headed Woodpeckers are rare.
The Red-Bellied Woodpeckers are often seen on tree trunks and limbs, pecking around for hidden insects. They are known to be one of a few bird species to store food and return and eat it later. Our old maple trees in the back provide lots of nooks and crannies for storage and food sources.
My woodpeckers are fairly vocal with unusual chirps and calls to keep connected. In past years, they have often found empty cavities in our trees in which to nest.
If you’d like to attract these birds, buy some of the C & S Peanut Delight Suet Bars, hang them and they will come.