Chirps and Cheeps

Bark Butter Draws a Pileated Woodpecker!

Published: February 23, 2011
Tags: My Feeders, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Junco, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, bark butter

A couple of months ago, I bought some bark butter to see if I couldn't entice a Northern Flicker or a Pileated Woodpecker to come up closer to the house so I could photograph them. After all this time, to my surprise, a Pileated came today! It was super exciting to see this large and beautiful creature right up close. So far, the Northern Flicker that I've seen occasionally hasn't found the bark butter yet.

And by the way, a little plug for bark butter: lots of birds LOVE it - not just woodpeckers. I've seen Juncos, Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, and both Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches going for it.

I'm still hoping to see a Northern Flicker - AND - now that I've seen the Pileated here, I'm beginning to hope I'll see a Red-headed as well. I hear they're pretty rare to our area, though...

Beautiful Pileated Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker - her bill and feet had a real bluish tinge

Look at how big her feet are!

A rather regal shot of her

A close up of her face

And another close up

Reply from: Lynn on 2/28/2011 8:17 PM

The red is so vibrant and eye-catching on this guy. What a pretty and interesting bird. Thanks for the tip on the bark butter too. I may have to give that a try.