Joan and Dan's Birding Blog: Red-Cockaded Woodpecker

Update 2/12/2013, check out this close up video of the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker, taken at Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area, Punta Gorda FL, on 2/10/2013 at dusk.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6c9Oa99vlQ&feature=youtu.be

Today's featured feathered friend is the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker. They can only be found in the southern United States and their conservation status is listed as "vulnerable". It is estimated that only 12,500 individual birds remain, or about 1 percent of their original population.

There are many locations along the Great Florida Birding Trail where the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker is known to exist. Biologists at these locations mark trees with wide white paint rings that are easily spotted. The "ringed" trees indicate active or potential nesting sites. We have visited several of these Birding Trail locations with no successful sighting.
Last week we traveled to Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area, south of Punta Gorda. We were hoping to add this species to our life list, we were finally successful. Just before sunset on Thursday, we heard and then spotted the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker. We returned to Babcock-Webb on Friday, spending the entire day taking photos of birds, butterflies and nature. At dusk, we revisited the location of the Red-Cockaded sighting. Once again, we heard the bird's call, then spotted him. Just as we had anticipated, he came back to the same tree, where we were able to get a photo along with a few nice videos.

Click on the links below to learn more about the trees that Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers select for nesting sites. Learn how humans help this species survive by inserting artificial nesting boxes directly into trees. Enjoy these photos of our outing.....tweet.....tweet!!