Red-bellied Woodpecker nesting is always exciting to watch. It feels even more special when it happens in my own yard near Lavaca, Arkansas.
Over the past few weeks, I had been watching a young Red-bellied Woodpecker at my feeder. I wrote about that bird in Charming Red-bellied Woodpecker Fledgling and Red-bellied Woodpecker Fledgling Being Fed. I was not sure where that young bird had nested, but I believed it was nearby.
Now I have a new pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers nesting in one of my pine trees.
Red-bellied Woodpecker Nesting in My Pine Trees
The nest cavity is in a pine tree in my yard. From my deck, I can watch the adults come and go without getting too close.
Both woodpeckers have stayed busy around the cavity. They worked the tree trunk and used the opening as their nest chamber. Watching them maintain that cavity has been a real treat.
The tree gives them a protected spot to raise their young. The nest is high enough to feel hidden, but close enough for me to observe their behavior.
I have not yet seen the young birds peeking from the hole. Still, the steady activity tells me the chicks are inside and growing.
Feeding Chicks and Guarding the Nest Cavity
The adult woodpeckers have made regular food deliveries to the nest. One of my favorite moments came when an adult brought a centipede to the hungry chicks.
That kind of moment shows how much work goes into raising young birds. The adults keep searching, returning, and feeding.
A few days ago, a group of Starlings took an interest in the nest cavity. They inspected the opening and got too close.
The woodpeckers reacted quickly. They defended the cavity with sharp calls and assertive behavior. The Starlings moved on, and the woodpeckers returned to their routine.
That small bit of drama reminded me how active a nesting site can be. Feeding the chicks is only part of the job. Guarding the cavity matters too.
Photographing Woodpeckers From My Deck
I photographed this nesting pair from my deck. That gave me a good view while keeping some distance from the tree.
I watched for pauses at the cavity entrance. Those brief moments helped me frame the woodpecker, the tree trunk, and the nest opening together.
The first photo was taken in Lavaca, Arkansas, on May 25, 2023, at 7:23 a.m.
Camera settings for Photo 1:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500 mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
- Exposure Mode: Manual
- Aperture: f/8
- Shutter Speed: 1/800
- ISO: 8000, Auto
- Exposure Compensation: +1.0
- Focal Length: 500 mm
Waiting for the Young Woodpeckers to Leave the Nest
I am watching for the first signs of the fledglings at the cavity entrance. Each visit from the adults makes me think that moment is getting closer.
The bird feeders nearby are already busy with House Finches, Northern Cardinals, and Blue Jays. I wonder how these young woodpeckers will fit into that activity once they leave the nest.
For now, I will keep watching the pine tree. A single nest cavity can hold a lot of life, work, and behavior. That is what makes backyard wildlife photography so rewarding.