The name of the Red-bellied Woodpecker is a bit of a misnomer. There is very little red on the woodpecker’s belly, and what is there is very faint. Nonetheless, it is a beautiful bird with black and white barred wings and back. The design is often referred to as zebra-backed. The female in this photo has a red nape and the male has a full red cap. I actually took this photo through my kitchen window. When shooting through glass, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure your window is clean inside and out. Second, shoot at a slight angle. Third, pick a time of day when the sunlight is not shining directly in your window. If it is, it will give an unwanted hazy appearance to your photo.
Red-bellied Woodpecker photo taken on a River Birch tree in my backyard.
