Above is a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. To me, this is one of the prettiest woodpeckers we have (although all of them are pretty). I love these woodpeckers and they only come to the suet feeder in the Spring/Summer. Last year, they brought one of their little ones to the feeder. Hope they do the same thing this year. Right now, we only have two (I think): a male and a female. The two of them look almost identical --but the female is a little smaller. Below are more pictures.
Here's a picture showing Mr. Red-Headed's underside... Like all woodpeckers, they can eat from all kinds of positions and angles!!!! ha
This is the female I think. She is a little smaller than the one pictured above. She seemed a little unsure as to how to get up to the suet feeder...
I love this picture when the Red-Headed Woodpecker was looking at me.... Sorry about the rusty clip in this picture and the top one above. I have to use this heavy clip to keep the raccoons from stealing the entire trap. They cannot BUDGE this clip!!!!
I can never do a bird post without showing one of our PILEATED WOODPECKERS. These birds come to the suet feeder 2-3 times a day most days... I never tire of watching them.
And here is a close-up of Mr. Pileated.... Note his red mustache (which shows the difference in males and females)... Look at those big claws!!!!
This is a GRAY CATBIRD---which has been coming to the suet feeder quite a bit lately. I only see one --and this is the first year I've had one regularly at the feeders. They are Summer Visitors only (Breeding)--so hopefully, he will bring his family to the feeder sometime.
Finally, we have 2-3 MOURNING DOVES who come to our feeders regularly. They love to jump up in the Plate Feeder ---and 'hog' it as their own!!!!! But--they are pretty birds, aren't they?
Hope you enjoyed seeing more of my Backyard Birds today!!! Sorry that some of my pictures are a little blurry today... I was filming inside through glass and screen...
I do have some bad news to report... Something happened to my baby Bluebirds. The Daddy is gone (was probably killed) and even though I see Mama around the nest, there has been no activity in the nest in over a week. SO--this weekend, George and I looked into the nest. There were 2 dead babies and 2 unhatched eggs. I could have cried and cried.. There was no trauma --so I'm not sure what happened. With Dad being gone, maybe it was just too much for Mama Blue. I have been VERY VERY sad over this. Hopefully, another family will come and occupy the nest.
Hope you have had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend. God Bless all of those men and women who have fought and are fighting for our freedom.
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY.
Hugs,
