In my ongoing struggle to keep squirrels off a bird feeder (yeah, probably a lost cause), I can report that for four days now I have not seen a squirrel attacking the feeder in its new location. Instead, I have been seeing a continuous influx of different birds coming to use it.
Yesterday, as I looked outside our bedroom window, I was surprised by a returning visitor. A Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) was at the feeder, hanging on for dear life in one of those acrobatic poses. You may recall a previous post from January 2026, when I featured another similar woodpecker doing some contortion on an oak tree in our backyard. This one was not quite the same. The red on its head was not as pronounced as in that earlier bird.
The behavior was different, too. It kept flying back and forth between the feeder and a nearby oak tree. I suppose it was merely trying to find a more stable place to eat a few seeds instead of dangling from a feeder that is just too small for its size.
Among the tree shots I captured, the one above clearly shows its pink tongue. That little flash of pink is a more impressive tool than it looks. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a Red-bellied Woodpecker can stick its tongue out nearly 2 inches (5 cm) past the end of its beak. The tip is barbed, and the bird’s saliva is sticky, which helps it snatch insects from deep crevices in the bark (you can see an instance of that in the January 2026 post). Compared to that, a few seeds from a backyard feeder must feel like easy pickings.
Squirrels or no squirrels, I will take a visitor like this at the window any day.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Bird of the Week, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Teravista, Texas, and Wildlife. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
Posted for I.J. Khanewala’s Birds of the Week Invitation CLXXVIII.
Source:
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds — Red-bellied Woodpecker — https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-bellied_Woodpecker/overview
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Cooking and Literature Friend
Cute little guy.
Egidio Leitao
That it was. Thanks for writing.
Terri Webster Schrandt
I love seeing the antics of woodpeckers, Egidio! Wonderful shots and the tongue!! I Love their striped feathers. We have the Northern Flickers here all winter, and yes, they also contort on the side of the feeders!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for your feedback, Terri.
Anita
Beautiful photos, Egídio. That woodpecker really is an acrobat, both determined and graceful. And you captured that pink tongue so well.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anita. When I shoot birds, I often use the burst mode in the shutter settings. That allows me to capture several images. Sometimes, I luck out with something like that pink tongue being in one of the frames.
Leanne Cole
Woody woodpecker, the cartoon is what I think about when I see these. We don’t have them here, no idea what they are like. These are great images Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Leanne.
Anne Sandler
Wow, what great captures Egidio. That tongue is amazing. And thanks for the education. I’m looking forward to more!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anne. I learned about that via the AllAboutBirds website.
margaret21
What a busy feeder you have! I like mant Brits, have a bird feedere nclosed in a squirrel-proof cage. They haven’t beated it yet, those squirrels!
Egidio Leitao
I’ve been thinking about getting one of those brick feeder. I know that woodpeckers love that mixture. So far, the feeder location is working. The squirrels are getting what falls off the feeder (which is a lot). Thanks, Margaret.
pamperrault21
Great pictures, (especially the tongue shot!!!) and even better narrative. Thanks so much! pp
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Pam. I like shooting in burst mode to capture those moments I can’t predict.
pamperrault21
Oooh, great tip. Thank you for sharing it with me. pp
Egidio Leitao
I’m glad you liked that tip. Have fun!