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Red Bellied Woodpecker 3


Red Bellied Woodpecker 3
Photo Information
Copyright: Alan Kolnik (Alan_Kolnik) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 185 W: 30 N: 180] (1079)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-06-11
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D70, Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 D ED VR
Exposure: f/5.3, 1/250 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-06-12 18:21
Viewed: 1207
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
It seems odd to me that this woodpecker, whose bright red crown is so obvious and distinctive, is named for the faint red feathers on its belly. I've included a shot of the back of its head to make the point.

ISO 400 due to poor light. PS 3.0 sharpening, then Neat Image.

++++++++++++++++++++
The most common woodpecker in the Southeast, the Red-bellied Woodpecker is a familiar sight at bird feeders and in backyards. Yes, its belly is covered in a light red wash. But this woodpecker is easier to spot by the red on the back and top of its head.
Description
top

* Medium to large-sized woodpecker.
* Red hood from top of head to back of neck.
* Back barred black and white.

* Size: 24 cm (9 in)
* Wingspan: 33-42 cm (13-17 in)
* Weight: 56-91 g (1.98-3.21 ounces)

Sex Differences

Male with red hood extending to forehead, female with red nape only.
Sound

Call: a loud raspy "kwirr." Also shorter "cha" notes.

Conservation Status

The Red-bellied Woodpecker has extended its breeding range north over the last 100 years. Populations are increasing throughout most of the range.
Other Names

Pic à ventre roux (French)
Cool Facts

* The Red-bellied Woodpecker competes vigorously for nest holes with other woodpeckers, in one case even dragging a Red-cockaded Woodpecker from a nest cavity and killing it. But it is often evicted from nest holes by the European Starling. In some areas, half of all Red-bellied Woodpecker nesting cavities are taken over by starlings.

* Stores food in cracks and crevices of trees and fence posts. The woodpecker does not appear to defend its caches from other birds or mammals.

* The male Red-bellied Woodpecker has a longer bill and a longer, wider tongue tip than the female. These adaptations may allow the male to reach deeper into furrows to extract prey and may allow the sexes to divide up the resources in one area.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Red-bellied_Woodpecker.html
glazzaro, aido, coasties, jeanpaul, Gudule, slrnovice2 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  •      
  • ewiczek Gold Star Critiquer [C: 223 W: 0 N: 0] (809)
  • [2006-06-12 23:16]

great and nice photo;-)

I am with you, makes no sense to me either. Great shot, detail and exposure are on the money.

Greg

  • Great 
  • aido Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1095 W: 169 N: 1218] (4046)
  • [2006-06-13 4:30]

Hi Alan,
Nice shot, good detail and excellent colours, great DOF. I always wondered about the naming too, and for exactly the same reason. I think it is because of all the red-crested Woodpeckers (spotted, downy etc.), the one thing that distinguishes this one is that it has a red belly, none of the others do.
Regards,
Adrian

Hello Alan

Nicely presented shot. Good depth of colour. Perfect OOF BG. Good quality work. Thanks.

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1159 W: 255 N: 2639] (11925)
  • [2006-06-13 8:15]

Hi Alan,

I like them woodpeckers,very nice composed picture,details and exposure are spot on,

TFS
Paul

Hello Allan, excllent details, Bg, POV, DOF Perfect Job, TFS Kyle

Bonjour Alan
Félicitation pour cette très jolie prise de vue . C'est vraiment un bel oiseau que ce pic aux belles couleurs qui sont sont justes et éclatantes,ainsi que la netteté et les détails.

Merci pour l'envoie et Bravo....JP

  • Great 
  • hibou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 206 W: 1 N: 351] (1561)
  • [2006-06-23 19:30]

Hello Alan,
Really impressive colors and details. Really well done. TFS Donald

  • Great 
  • Gudule Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 248 W: 11 N: 288] (1204)
  • [2006-06-27 20:27]

C'est un drôle de nom, en effet, pour cet oiseau qui n'a pas un ventre très rouge, comme le nom qu'on lui a donné!
Mais votre photo est très réussie tout comme la présentation que vous avez choisie, Alan.
Beaucoup de détails, des couleurs vives et impressionnantes. Belle lumière, excellente mise au point.

JN.

Hi Alan, lovely shot of this Woodpecker, it is very sharp and clear with great details. Excellent colours and DOF producing a beautifully soft BG. Wonderful shot, well done :)
PS..I am trying to encourage Woodpeckers into my garden too but no success so far. If you want a shot of the bird without the feeder being obvious, try the following: drill a thick branch with holes and fill the holes with fat and peanuts before tying the branch to the side of a tree trunk.

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