Red-bellied Woodpecker leaning forward from a post, looking ahead.

Red-bellied Woodpecker Playing Peekaboo

by

I watched a Red-bellied Woodpecker lean out from a wooden post in my yard here in Arkansas. It shifted its head from side to side, giving me three different looks in quick succession.

This short series shows how much personality one bird can show in just a few seconds. For another close look at this species, see The Charming Red-bellied Woodpecker: A Close Encounter

Red-bellied Woodpecker peeking around a wooden post with green background.
A Red-bellied Woodpecker leans out cautiously from behind a wooden post in my Arkansas yard.
Red-bellied Woodpecker tilting its head while leaning from a wooden post.
The same woodpecker tilts its head, showing the bright red crown in the sunlight.
Red-bellied Woodpecker leaning forward from a post, looking ahead.
The bird stretches further out, scanning the yard with its beak pointed forward.

Photo details (all three images):

  • Camera: Canon EOS R5 Mark II
  • Lens: Canon RF 200–800mm
  • Aperture: ƒ/10
  • Shutter Speed: 1/800
  • ISO: 4000
  • Exposure Compensation: +1