Melanerpes carolinus is not to be confused with the Red-Headed Woodpecker or the Red-Crowned Woodpecker. Nor the Read-Breasted Sapsucker, for that matter. It’s not that bird with the red head and stripey back, it’s the other bird with the red head and stripey back. It’s simple, see?
This guy (probably a guy, with the full red stripe on the head) was at the top of about a 100 foot tall tree and doing his absolute best to evade photography. Too bad, though; I brought the five pound lens today.
Another shot:
I’ve got one of these in my maple tree. I think I saw them eat a lanternfly!
I love the open beak facial expression 💜
Never mind the UK’s Greated Spotted Woodpecker speckled, and red on head - the isn’t the best of photos but the red on the head is at the back, so…
They have a distinctive call that makes it easy to tell when they’re around. I love red-bellied woodpeckers, beautiful birds🐦