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Wow Wow Wow, today I saw my sparrows, two common grackles, a blue jay, a catbird and a redheaded woodpecker I don't know what kind he was but he had a very redish orange head and a light gray body. It sure was cool to see all the different kinds of birds in one morning. I don't think I've seen that many different birds in all the time I've been here.

Your mystery Woodpecker sounds like a Red-Bellied Woodpecker. Google that Woodpecker and see if that was him. TRUE Red-Headed Woodpecker are almost crow sized, have a SOLID red head and neck, and their bodies are large black and white patches, not a gray body.

Tk

Do you have a close feeder to see all that ??????
I only have the thistle and that is messy .......I put a catch basin at the bottom to catch an recycle the seeds for them.. Lil Buggers......

I throw seeds on top of my window a/c unit so I can watch the sparrows feed. Occassionally on the way out to the dumpster or working in the garden I've seen most of the others in passing. This is the first time I've seen the woodpecker.

Thorny you nailed the identification on the woodpecker first time. You are great at doing that.

The Red-Bellied Woodpecker. It seems strange that they would name it that when it doesn't have a red belly. Do you know the reasoning behind the name by any chance?

Thorny must study them day an nite to know all them..
He comical.

Hi Tammy! I, too, thought it was a silly name for a woodpecker that has a red head, but I was told that they had already named the pileated wookpecker the red headed woodpecker so they couldn't use it again.

That's a good reason. Thankyou for responding to my question.

Red-Bellied Woodpeckers are called Red-Bellied Woodpeckers, because some of them DO have Red Bellies. Some, but not ALL. Here is a picture of one that CLEARLY shows WHY they are called Red-Bellied Woodpeckers.

Their cute too.
Make lots of noise.

How about that. I didn't see mines belly so I didn't know they had red bellies. How cool. He seems more cream colored than the light grey mine was. Are their several types of red belly woodpeckers? Or is that seasonal or something. Talk about not knowing a thing about birds. I'm a real novice.

Most Red-Bellied you see do NOT have Red Bellies or else the bellies are NOT visible. I see their red belly from time to time and it is always a fun challenge to us bird photographers to get a picture OF a Red-Bellied with his red belly actually SHOWING.

Well you have definitely earned your "The Bird Man" title. thankyou so much for being willing to answer all my little questions about the feathered friends I see around here.

I 2nd the motion.............