Red Headed Woodpecker

The Red Headed Woodpeckers really catch your eye with the red and white. A beautiful bird.

What catches our eye in spiritual things? For me it is the hope and grace God offers. We were made to serve God. But because of our shortcomings we lose heart and give up. God is mindful that we are but dust and extends to us His grace to continue with a new start. Let us rejoice and give thanks to His name.

Young Red Headed Woodpecker

These birds gain insects from trees. But they also acquire food in flight. They will eat seeds and store the nuts for the future.

The young birds are the new generation that continue to live, breed, nest and give life and to our world. Their nature is passed on from parent to baby. Human nature and learning is passed on from the parents to their children. As Christians we teach our kids about God and how to follow Him.

Psalm 78:8

"And not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not prepare its heart And whose spirit was not faithful to God."

Let us not be unfaithful to God. Let us prepare our heart to receive God's word, believe it and follow it.

Red Headed Woodpecker

Found these woodpeckers along the Missouri river.

Red-headed wood peckers are attracted to burned areas and recent clearings. They usually nest in a hole on a dead tree or a dead branch on a live tree. Red-headed woodpeckers do not use bird houses. Starlings and bluejays will steal their eggs. 

The red head is striking to see. A beautiful bird to watch.

These birds are monogamous. 

Starlings will out compete the Red headed woodpecker for nesting holes.

The Brown headed cow bird will lay its eggs in a Red headed woodpeckers nest, but the woodpecker will not incubate the the eggs.

When light is low the white lower back also is a sure identification sign. The Ivory billed woodpecker also has a white lower back. Yet it is very rare and is twice the size of the Red-headed.

Psalm 19:1
"The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands."