Alright, maybe they don’t. Woodpeckers are, however, easier to identify on the run than are the juncos in my last post.* I have been seeing and hearing them frequently as of late, so in the spirit of sharing here are two running-friendly finds:
The red-bellied woodpecker does have a red belly, but the red on its head is much more visible. Sadly, “red-headed woodpecker” was already taken (the red-headed woodpecker’s head is all red, whereas the red-bellied woodpecker has more of a red faux-hawk). The red-bellied woodpecker is a frequent sight and sound on the trails near Lake Artemesia, identifiable by their distinctive rolling “kwirr” or “churr” call which can be heard here.
The downy woodpecker is small with a black and white checkered pattern that distinguishes it from other woodpeckers. Except for the hairy woodpecker, that is, who looks almost exactly the same, save for a longer bill. They are likely finds in woods, fields, parks, and lots all over Prince George’s County. Their call is a high whinny, but you are more likely to hear them drumming on a tree than calling from one this time of year. More information on the downy and hairy woodpeckers can be found here.
Honorable mentions: the Pileated Woodpecker and the Northern Flicker (who happens to resemble the red-bellied woodpecker).
*I admit the downy and hairy woodpeckers are almost impossible to tell apart while running unless you are an avid birder. Just call it a “dairy” and make up a story about how their colors are similar to that of a Holstein – no one will be the wiser. If this fails, fartlek.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: birds, Lake Artemesia, nature |
Hi Andrea!
I enjoyed your article. I am an avid bird watcher- one of the joys of running for me is to spot a bird, identify by sight and/or sound and then start talking to him. (-: