11 Aug Not a Hummingbird Either | Aug 2015
Not a Hummingbird Either
Gila Woodpecker, Female, on Hummingbird Feeder
Okay, this is not a hummingbird either.
After a recent blog (see: Not a Hummingbird), a comment came in.
It was, “What about me?”
So I needed to post another photo of a Gila Woodpecker, in this case a female.
Certainly, this is not a hummingbird.
It is, however, similar to the bird in the last blog with one important difference. Note the absence of any red on her head.
There’s another important insight that appears in both of these photos.
Note that the bird has turned its tail sharply toward the hummingbird feeder.
This is natural behavior for woodpeckers. They use their tails as a third point to stabilize themselves when on tree trunks.
Much success,
Steve Kaye
See more woodpeckers at:
Woodpeckers Have Important News
Birding Resources
This photo was taken at the Casa de San Pedro B&B, which is near Hereford, AZ. Learn about this wonderful B&B at: Casa de San Pedro B&B
See Bird Photos – Bird Photos
Did You Know?
The most effective way to help birds is to buy land.
Here are three organizations that excel at doing this.
Please visit their web sites to learn about the work they do.
Here’s an excellent book: The American Bird Conservancy Guide to Bird Conservation
You can help – Please share this blog with others.
Inspiring Respect for Nature, one bird at a time.
Web Site | Presentations | Blog | Photos | Articles
Debbie Allen
Posted at 09:24h, 11 AugustYep, I have something drinking all the sugar water out of my feeders too…only they are at night. I am thinking bats, but don’t know for sure.
Melody Lassalle
Posted at 11:20h, 11 AugustSteve, what a beautiful photograph! We have a couple of the red headed woodpeckers in our neighborhood, but I’ve never seen one of these. Is this the female of the same type or a different woodpecker entirely?
Steve Kaye
Posted at 16:37h, 21 AugustThis is the female, Gila Woodpecker. The male (with a bit of red on his head) appeared in the previous blog. Thanks for asking.
Jayaraj MS
Posted at 11:12h, 15 MayNice post
Thank you so much for sharing this great information and good knowledge.
This is really useful. The birds used their tails as a third point to stabilize themselves when on tree trunks is interesting.