Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Red-bellied woodpeckers are year round residents, though I seldom see much of them except in spring and summer. You might wonder why this beautiful woodpecker was saddled with such an odd name, since the red head is the first thing you notice—that is, until you understand that several woodpeckers have red heads.  The one trait that distinguishes this one from the others is the red line down the middle of its belly, thus its name. This is my favorite woodpecker to watch, and it’s always a treat for me to get close enough to photograph this beauty.

Red-Bellied Woodpecker