Nuttall’s Woodpecker (Picoides nuttallii) photos by Larry Jordan
I have been enjoying the shear pleasure of this beautiful male Nuttall’s Woodpecker’s company for quite some time now. I don’t know if he is one of the offspring of the pair I found nesting on my property last year, but I’m glad he has made this his home.
The Nuttall’s Woodpecker (Picoides nuttallii) lives in California and Baja California, primarily in oak woodlands. They make a definitive rattling call as they fly through the oak trees. You can hear the call here, however, the rattle at the front of this recording usually goes two or three times longer than this example.
This image (click on photo for full size) shows his ivory colored lores and the white spotting on his head.
They are very curious birds
But very cautious too. This photo shows the male’s red crown and the black and white pattern on his nape.
He is watching with interest as the much larger Acorn Woodpecker just arrived on the scene.
Isn’t he a handsome little fellow? Ready to burst into action.
Here he is hanging on the upside down suet feeder.
And a video of him at the woodpecker feeder. This guy can make coffee nervous!
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Beautiful shots of the woodpecker. Glad to know they are only in California. I have enough trouble telling the difference between the Downy and Hairy.
Great photos of the Woodpecker. It is such a pretty bird.
…cool bird! Loved the video…you’re right…he could make coffee nervous. I loved all his head bobbing and ducking!
You have some wonderful photos of the Nuttall’s Woodpecker here. He is beautiful. Also love the pictures of the Ring-necked Pheasants and Snowy Egret.
I had never heard of that woodpecker- I guess we don’t have them here. Looks like a Downy on amphetamines!
Nuttall’s is a very sharp looking woodpecker indeed and your photos make the ivory lores very much apparent!