Re: (Maine Birds) Mount Desert Island Birds: Red-headed Woodpecker continues

[Down East Nature Tours]

Douglas Feeder Cricket Lane, Hancock, US-ME
Jan 1, 2013 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Protocol: Stationary
Comments: I first found this bird yesterday and relocated on the oak tree where the feeder is located. This bird with an orange wash from the mouth down over the front of his chest. I believe from its behavior and distinctive plumage that it is a male. At one point he sallied out to a spruce tree catching what appeared to be spider. The feeder is the reason why this bird would be on the Northern side of MDI. The wind yesterday was stronger than today and it was cold at 25 degrees F. This is an MDI and Hancock County record bird which has also been seen by Craig Kesselheim around 11 am. This bird is on private property.  I have not yet approached the property owner about visitation and will follow-up. 
9 species

Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) 35 many female and imm.
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) 15
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 15
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) 1 Relocated and continuing
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 4
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 4
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) 1
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 1
 http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S12436110

 

Michael

 

 

[Down East Nature Tours]

Hello ,

I have made arrangements with the property owner that individuals in and around MDI who would like to see the Red-headed Woodpecker should contact me at 479-4256 and we will make arrangements to see the bird. 

 

Please add,

 

All flight feathers appear to be fully developed and distinctly
defined. An orange wash across and down the malar and its chest from
foraging hard during these cold and harsh winter temperatures. The
secondary's and primaries are well developed evenly giving this birds a sharp and
distinct appearance.

 

Michael

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[Alicia Plotkin]

We have enjoyed watching two nesting pair of red-headed woodpeckers in a not-too-distant town for the past couple of years and in several hours of watching them, I have never been able to see any difference in the plumage between male and female.  What was it about the plumage of this bird that made it male?

                   Alicia Plotkin (in the fingerlakes area of NY)