Today we identified a new woodpecker in our yard...really exciting stuff.
He was hopping between the tree and the feeder, but I was able to snap a few photos to share with you.
Nuttall's Woodpecker
Picoides nuttallii
"The only black and white, zebra backed woodpecker with a black and white striped face normally found in California west of the Sierra. Males have red caps."
Habitat: Wooded canyons and foothills, river woods, groves, and orchards.
I just love the unexpected nature study that happens along with real life. When you have to observe closely to identify a bird, you learn all kinds of things in the process. We learned that the Downy woodpecker that we normally see is very close to the Nuttall's woodpecker but he has a big white spot on his back. Now we will be able to tell them apart quite easily.
New bird for our bird list!
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
