Red Bellied Woodpecker Bird – Nonpasserine land birds – 12/1/2011

Living in Wisconsin at the upper range for the Red-Bellied Woodpecker, it is infrequent to see one.

Select this link to see photos or a slideshow of the Red Bellied Woodpecker

The Red-Bellied Woodpecker is a zebra backed woodpecker with a red cap, and a white rump. Red covers the crown and nape in the male. Its habitat is woodlands, groves, orchards, and in towns. It has a range of the eastern half of the United States up from central Texas to upper Wisconsin. Their diet is mostly insects. It was a surprise to see the Woodpecker at the feeder with Black Capped Chickadees and House Finches.

 

Downy Woodpecker Bird – Nonpasserines Land Bird – 4/13/2011-2015

This male Downy Woodpecker was photographed at Whitnall Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The female Downy Woodpecker was photographed at the Estabrook Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Select this link to see photos or a slideshow of the Downy Woodpecker

The Downy Woodpeckers are checkered and spotted with black and white, and a white back, breast and undersides. The male has a small red patch on the back of the head. The Hairy Woodpecker is larger in size than the Downy. The Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers are the only Woodpeckers with a white back. It has a range from Alaska and Canada to South United States. It has a habitat of forests, woodlots, willows, river groves, orchards, and shade trees. It feeds mostly on insects, and seeds and suet at bird feeders.

This is the smallest of the woodpeckers in North America. It is common and widespread, however avoids the arid southwest states. It is familiar to urban areas and parks and feeds on weed stalks, bird feeders, and large trees.

 

White Pigeon Bird – nonpasserine land bird 11/10/2010

This pigeon may be referred to as a White Pigeon or Rock Dove.

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Select this link to see Rock Dove photos. White Pigeons may also be called Rock Doves.

Select this link to see Ringed Turtle Dove. White Pigeons are considered a mutation of the Ringed Turtle Dove, and or also referred to as Homing Pigeons.

Doves and Pigeons come from the same family, however there are many species of both and they come in a wide variety of colors and types (confusing?). The White Pigeon may be found all over the world.

 

Common Flicker Bird – nonpasserines land birds 4/30/2010

Photo taken in Muskego, WI as a group of Flickers passed through

The female Common Flicker without the black mustache.

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I only see the Common Flicker in the Spring or Fall when they migrate, so have to be ready to photograph when first seen. They breed in Canada and Winter in Western Southern States and Mexico. Not easy to photograph. They are noted by red crescent on the nape, black patch on the neck, and with zebra-backed wings. The male has a black mustache. They like to eat ants from the cracks in the bricked pati0, as seen.

The Common Flicker is the most searched for bird on this bird website. It has been viewed each week, since it was added in July 2010.

 

Pileated Woodpecker Bird – nonpasserine land birds 1/5/2010

I was surprised to be able to take this photo 20 ft from the hammering Woodpecker

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I heard this loud chopping sound in some pine woods. On closer observation I saw this red head oscillating back and forth making a large hole. It was about 50 ft up in the tree, and was shaded, and paid no attention to me as I tried to get a photo. It then went from tree to tree hammering away. Later in the day I heard it again and found it at near ground level. The lighting was slightly better, so I tried to get a photo as soon as I could. I kept moving in closer until I was about 20 ft away with the Woodpecker hammering away and oblivious to me. The head was bobbing so fast, and the noise so loud, that it was still hard to get a good photo.