Point Pelee National Park, Ontario, Canada – A photographer's best chance at finding this bird in Ontario is probably during spring migration, in birding hot spots such as Point Pelee and Rondeau Provincial Park. Red-Headed Woodpeckers are similar in size to the familiar Blue Jay and are easily distinguished by its tri-coloured pattern: red, white, and black. Adult male and females have identical plumage, so unless you compare their sizes side by side, you probably won’t be able to identify its gender with certainty. We assume this individual to be a male.
The Red-headed Woodpecker is listed as a vulnerable species in Canada and Near Threatened in US – (NT) assigned to species that may be considered threatened with extinction in the near future [Wikipedia].
Reasons for their decline? Primarily due to loss of nesting habitat – forest clearing for agriculture and settlement and removal of dead trees. The Red-Headed Woodpecker preference for large dead trees or trees with large dead limbs is well illustrated by the photograph below. Just say NO to the removal of dead trees.
The Red-Headed Woodpecker feeding patterns look in part similar to those of the Eastern Bluebird, as both will catch insects in flight or on the ground. But that’s where the similarity ends.
Left: Red-Headed Woodpecker photographed at Point Pelee during spring migration at 1000mm focal length.
Cool fact: The Red-Headed Woodpecker was once used as a war symbol by the Cherokee Indians.
What Else Can You Photograph At Point Pelee?
Do you know of a good photo location for Red-Headed Woodpeckers?
HelloThere is good information about The Red-Headed Woodpecker and it is interesting to know about cool fact.This picture of The Red-Headed Woodpecker is really very nice.Thank you very much for this post about The Red-Headed Woodpecker.
Previous post: Where to Photograph Sandhill Cranes? On Manitoulin Island!