Woodpeckers and Allies Archives - Window to Wildlife

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers at Lake Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on April 9, 2026

When the sap is running in Milwaukee County a great place to stop to see Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers is Lake Park. I stopped today and they were there as the sap is running. There were a lot of birds present and they were very active getting sap from the trees. It is a cool event to see every year if you time it right and they make a stop at the park. Along with the Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers present were Brown Creepers, and there were very many of them too, probably the most I have ever seen at one location. It was a beautiful day with plenty of sun, warm temps around 60 degrees and sunny skies. Images were taken on April 9, 2026.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male…

The male getting sap…

A female…

Getting that sap…

Brown Creeper

They blend in so well…

Red-headed Woodpecker and more in Marquette County Wisconsin on March 14, 2026

By admin | March 15, 2026 - 5:12 pm |March 15, 2026 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

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It was nice to see a Red-headed Woodpecker in Marquette County in the early morning sun. Other common birds were in the area giving nice looks. It was a day of some sun and clouds with temps in the mid 30’s with a winter storm coming in the forecast. Images were taken March 14, 2026.

Red-headed Woodpecker…

White-breasted Nuthatch

Hairy Woodpecker

Blue Jay

Red-headed Woodpecker

Dark-eyed Junco

Mourning Dove

Northern Flickers feeding nestlings in a natural nest cavity in Waukesha County Wisconsin on July 5, 2025

By admin | July 5, 2025 - 6:08 pm |July 5, 2025 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

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I found a Northern Flicker nest cavity back on June 1 of this year in Waukesha County. The adults were stopping at the cavity once in a while; I knew something was going to be going on there in the days ahead. Some time has passed and today I stopped in and watched the cavity and about every 45 minutes an adult would stop and feed the nestlings, 2 of them. I hung around for two feeding sessions. I was at more than 100 feet from this tree observing the action. Below are some images from the event today. It was a warm morning with temps around 80 degrees and humid at 9 am, low winds and sunny skies. Images were taken on July 5, 2025.

A Northern Flicker nestling waits at the natural tree cavity for an adult with some food…

The adult arrives at the hole and waits a little bit before moving over to the nestling to feed it…

Then the feeding begins…

Finished feeding the 1st nestling…

Then the second one is out to be fed…

The adult backs away from the hole as feeding is complete I would think…

Another feeding event begins…

That feeding event is over and the adult leaves…

One of the nestlings sits at the hole waiting for the next adult to bring the food…

Northern Flickers at a natural nest cavity in Waukesha County Wisconsin on June 1, 2025

By admin | June 2, 2025 - 7:05 am |June 2, 2025 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

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With spring migration winding down I decided to focus on nesting birds today. Just walking around in a couple of parks I found 3 location with either a bird on a nest or a nest cavity with active birds. One of the nesting places was a pair of Northern Flickers. It did not appear any little ones where in this nest hole yet but probably that will be in a few days. It was a gorgeous day with plenty of sunshine, pleasant temps and low winds. Images were taken on June 1, 2025.

At a distance…

Pileated Woodpecker feeding young in Delafield in Waukesha County Wisconsin on June 11, 2024

By admin | June 11, 2024 - 2:28 pm |June 17, 2024 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

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I received a tip on Pileated Woodpeckers feeding their young in a natural cavity at Lapham Peak in the south Kettle Moraine State Forest in Waukesha County. I checked it out and it was an exciting event to witness. There were the two adult birds and 4 young, I only saw 2 young when i was there as some had already left the nest. The adults came in many times in the time I was there to feed the young. The feeding time was about 20-30 seconds long. The feeding took place roughly 3/4 to 1 1/2 hours apart. It was a gorgeous weather with plenty of sunshine, cool temps early on and low winds. The birds had all fledged as of June 14th. Images were taken on June 11-14, 2024.

Pileated Woodpecker adult feeding a young male…

Pileated Woodpecker adult feeding a young male…

Young male waiting for food…

The young, female on top, male below waiting for an adult for food…

Adult Pileated Woodpecker, male just landed on the nest hole tree with young below…

Young male waiting for an adult for food…

Young male top, female bottom waiting for an adult for food…

Here a young male is leaving the nest, just coming out…1 second later it was heading into the woods around me…

Red-headed Woodpecker in Marquette County Wisconsin on December 12, 2022

By admin | December 14, 2022 - 5:51 pm |December 14, 2022 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

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Spending a couple of days in Marquette County it was nice to see a Red-headed Woodpecker still hanging around. Every year is different, this species is hit or miss here in central Wisconsin if they hang around for the winter. We are down to one bird as of now. It was a pretty good year for acorns so we will see. Images were taken on December 12, 2022.

Pileated Woodpeckers in Waukesha County on February 8, 2022

By admin | February 8, 2022 - 4:03 pm |February 8, 2022 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

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While out birding in Waukesha County I came across a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers. A male and female moved through a small hardwood forest area quickly in search of insects. Way to early for nesting, in a short time they had left the area. A nice day with warmer temps expected but it was still 24 degrees at this time. Images were taken on February 8, 2022.

The Pileated Woodpecker, a male in search of insects…

Male…

Climbing around on different trees this female in search of insects…

Finding things to eat, the female…

Female…

Red-headed Woodpecker Juvenile in Marquette County Wisconsin on November 6, 2021

By admin | November 6, 2021 - 6:19 pm |November 6, 2021 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

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I enjoyed nice looks at this beautiful juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker in Marquette County. Some red is coming in on the head. A gorgeous day with some sun and mild temperatures for this time of year. Images were taken on November 6, 2021.

The juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker with some red starting to come in on the head…

I think opening a seed here…

Opening a seed here too, unless it is trying to stick in into the branch for future food…

Red-headed Woodpeckers in Marquette County Wisconsin on June 22, 2021

By admin | June 23, 2021 - 7:20 am |June 23, 2021 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

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A recent trip to Marquette always nice to see the Red-headed Woodpeckers. A nice number of the woodpeckers were seen today about the woodland. Beautiful day, with temps around 72 and mostly sunny skies. Images were taken on June 22, 2021.

The Red-headed Woodpecker showing its best…

Red-headed Woodpecker in Marquette County Wisconsin on May 8, 2021

By admin | May 8, 2021 - 9:28 pm |May 8, 2021 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

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Always nice to see the return of Red-headed Woodpeckers in Marquette County. 4 of this species have made a late return this year, hopefully more will follow. Beautiful day, with temps around 60 and mostly sunny skies. Images were taken on May 8, 2021.

The Red-headed Woodpecker…

Red-headed Woodpeckers in Marquette County Wisconsin on August 4, 2020

By admin | August 4, 2020 - 6:05 pm |August 7, 2020 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

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Seeing the Red-headed Woodpeckers in Marquette County Wisconsin is always a treat. A gorgeous day with temps around 76, low winds and a little sunshine. Images were taken on August 4, 2020.

Red-headed Woodpeckers in Marquette County Wisconsin on July 20, 2020

By admin | July 20, 2020 - 7:01 pm |July 21, 2020 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

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Always enjoying the Red-headed Woodpeckers when visiting Marquette County Wisconsin. A gorgeous day with temps around 80+, low windows and plenty of sunshine. Images were taken on July 20, 2020.

Red-headed Woodpeckers in Marquette County Wisconsin on May 15, 2020

By admin | May 17, 2020 - 7:39 pm |May 17, 2020 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

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Always enjoying the Red-headed Woodpeckers when visiting Marquette County Wisconsin. A gorgeous day with temps around 70+, low windows and plenty of sunshine. Images were taken on May 15, 2020.

Red-headed Woodpeckers in Marquette County Wisconsin on April 5, 2020

By admin | April 5, 2020 - 6:41 pm |April 5, 2020 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

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Best birds of the day were a pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers in Marquette County. Other species to note, a Bald Eagle, Tree Swallows, Sandhill Cranes, Eastern Pheobe, Song Sparrows and other common species we see this time of year. The day started out foggy but gave way to full sun late morning. Images were taken on April 5, 2020.

Red-headed Woodpecker, there were 2…

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers at Lake Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on April 12, 2019

By admin | April 13, 2019 - 7:13 pm |April 13, 2019 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

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I have hit Lake Park in Milwaukee almost daily this week in hopes to see the large numbers of the Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers that come through. This year like last, I may have missed the big event. Stops have had numbers of just 3-5 birds and some times not even photograph-able as they were high up in the trees. Maybe they are still coming but I think it is just one of those things that I won’t see that event. The few I have seen have been stunning as always, actively feeding on sap, making new holes in trees for more sap, they seem to know where to go. Most of the birds I have seen were higher in trees, not low near the truck. I would think that has to do with the sap situation in the tree. Still exciting to see these birds come through even if it was only one. Images were taken on the 8th and 12th of April 2019.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male, working on a hole getting sap too…

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male working on a hole…

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, female-left, male-right

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male, they like to hide when someone is around and come around corners slow…

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, male

Getting sap

Working the hole and then getting more sap…

Female getting sap…

Getting sap…

Red-headed Woodpecker feeding young in Marquette County Wisconsin on June 11, 2018

By admin | June 12, 2018 - 7:37 pm |June 12, 2018 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

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Doing some birding I came across a pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers. One bird was bringing insects to the nest hole in a dead oak. The other adult perched at a distance off a ways from the nest hole. I hung around for 3 feedings and then let them be. It was a beautiful day, mostly sunny with some gusts of winds which made for a stunning day out there, and no mosquito’s. Images were taken on June 11, 2018.

Red-headed Woodpecker leaving the nest hole after feeding young…

Bringing the insects to the young after a few minutes…

Going into the nest hole…

Before entering the nest hole…

Leaving…

Just standing by, the young know that…

Another bill full for the young…

Just before entering…

Perched in a nearby tree by the nest hole…

Taking a look around, watching the nest hole too…

Northern Flickers eating Staghorn Sumac seeds at Lake Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on April 17, 2018

By admin | April 17, 2018 - 9:36 pm |April 18, 2018 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

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While birding Lake Park in Milwaukee one of the highlights was watching the Northern Flickers, yellow-shafted feeding on a couple of clumps of Staghorn Sumac plantings in a ravine. 3 or 4 different Northern Flickers hit these plants hard for seeds probably with anticipated snow coming and the ground having 4″-5″ of fresh snow down now. I have never seen Northern Flickers on sumac before. Very many American Robins and Black-capped Chickadees hit these plants hard too while I was there, even a brief stop by a pair of Eastern Bluebirds even checked out the seeds but did not stay. I think of the different species of birds that have hit these plants over the years is amazing, and this is just a couple of plants I am sort of watching. It was a cloud day with brief sunlight, cold temps around 30 degrees and winds off the lake, made for a cold day out there. Images were taken on April 17, 2018.

Northern Flicker, Yellow-shafted

Binomial name: Colaptes auratus

Category: Woodpeckers and Allies

Size: 12.5” long, 20” wingspan

Weight: 4.6 Oz

Red-bellied Woodpeckers at Grant Park in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on January 12, 2018

By admin | January 14, 2018 - 6:23 pm |January 14, 2018 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

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I watched a pair of male and female Red-bellied Woodpeckers moving around on a Red Pine tree at Grant Park. I captured the two and put together a collage for comparing the two sexes. Such beautiful birds. Images taken on January 12, 2018.

Red-bellied Woodpeckers, the male left, female on the right in a collage photo…

Red-bellied Woodpecker, female

Red-bellied Woodpecker, male

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers at Lake Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on April 10, 2017

By admin | April 10, 2017 - 6:21 pm |April 10, 2017 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

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Lake Park in Milwaukee had some Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers today. I probably saw a good half-dozen at the north end of the park. Like usual, if they have some good trees with sap running they return to those trees on and off. Sap looked great today with the warm weather, it was just oozing out. I don’t recall seeing any males, these were females. Last year there were nice numbers too at Lake Park, on April 8th, only two days off from last year. Images were taken on April 10, 2017.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker along with the sap running out of the tree

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Binomial name: Sphyrapicus varius

Category: Woodpeckers and Allies

Size: 8.5” long, 16” wing span

Weight: 1.8 oz

Getting that running sap…

Look at all that sap and holes in the tree, the sap is just oozing out…

Working a hole for some sap or future sap

Getting that sap

Getting that sap…

The tongue…

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers at Lake Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin on April 8, 2016

By admin | April 8, 2016 - 6:20 pm |April 9, 2016 Bird Categories, Woodpeckers and Allies

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I stopped at Lake Park late morning today to check things out. The highlight was numerous Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers licking sap from new and old holes in trees. Some would sit lower towards the base of the tree as there may be more sap at those locations. It was interesting to sit and watch as this continued while I was present. Snow fell for most of the time I was present, a gloomy day with some winds. Birds around where very active. A couple species to note where a Golden-crowned Kinglet and my first Yellow-rumped Warbler of the year. Images where taken on April 8, 2016.