Springboro, Ohio

Red-headed Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers are our favorite birds. We live on a wooded lot with lots of tall hickory, oak, and maple trees. We have seen every variety of woodpecker there is in Ohio in our yard.

They love to feed at our suet feeders, hopper feeder, Eliminator (the ultimate in squirrel-proof bird feeding), bark butter feeders and surprisingly now at our WBU Cylinder Feeder, which we keep loaded with safflower cylinders (to keep the black birds away). We have witnessed an adult male Pileated Woodpecker feeding his four babes (at one sitting), five Northern Flickers chattering to each other, and now this year we have seen five Red-headed Woodpeckers fighting over rights to our feeders.

From 2004 through 2007 we only saw brief glimpses of one adult Red-headed Woopecker in our neighborhood. Then in the spring of 2008 we saw two adults. It was then that they became regulars at our feeders. They prefer the Wild Birds Unlimited Woodpecker Blend from the hopper feeder but occasionally we see them eating Simply Suet (stratight suet) from cages attached to trees. With regular activity at the feeder we greatly anticpated late summer when we hoped to see a babe. They didn't disappoint! In late August one adult starting bringing the juvenile to the suet on a regular basis.

In the spring of this year we again were seeing two adults frequenting our feeders. And just a few weeks ago we saw three adults at one time in our yard! (We assume it is the two adults and their babe from last year.) And now in late August we have not one new babe, but two! And we have seen all 5 at one time! We are very proud parents!!!!!

We are learning more about Red-headed Woodpeckers as we observe their behavior. The babes are more sociable then their parents. I think this is a reflection of the availablity of supplemental food, since this neighborhood is relatively new. The parents probably didn't start going to feeders until they were adults. They don't all get along like one big  happy family, but we do believe they are communal. For how long? We have yet to see.

We hope to get them all in one picture or video, but until then I hope you enjoy the videos & pictures!

 

red headed woodpecker adult Red-headed woodpeckers adult and 2 juves
Adult Red-headed Woodpecker Adult and 2 Juvenile Red-headed Woodpeckers
Red-headed Woodpecker Juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker Juvenile Side
Red-headed Woodpecker Juvenile Front Red-headed Woodpecker Juvenile Side
Red-headed Woodpecker Juvenile at Safflower Red-headed Woodpecker Juvenile Eating Safflower
Red-headed Woodpecker Juvenile at Safflower Red-headed Woodpecker Juvenile Eating Safflower