Red-Headed Woodpecker

Melanerpes erythrocephalaus

"The two sexes have similar plummage, but the immatures are dusky brown ... A year round resident in Texas, it inhabits the eastern and central portions of the state ... The birds forage on tree trunks but also descend to the ground to gather insects, berries and acorns."

This is the numerically dominant woodpecker. From the beginning of July into September, they have been as common as cardinals. They persist through January.

Photo taken with a Nikon D70 using a Nikon 300mm, f/4.5 lens.

April 9, 2006.