where's the red-headed Waldo?

As Nick Stahlman described it, "It's a where's Waldo kind of photograph." He took it with his cellphone while relaxing on a hammock. But it is unmistakable. No other bird in our state has these field marks: solid red head, black body and white shield on its back caused by the folded secondary feathers. 

Historically red-headed woodpeckers were found in the middle of the state westward, mostly in the western portion. Thee bulk of the nesting sites were located in the Mississippi River basin and across into Arkansas. These woodpeckers were not found that often in the Tennessee Valley with few nest sites being reported. 

Today. More are being seen in our part of the state. It represents movement into the valley on their part. Either they are expanding their known range of decades or fleeing from degraded habitat to new territory.

"This was an unexpected life bird for me!" Nick's text read. "I always had the thought in the back of my mind that I needed to go to a Middle Tennessee forest to see one, but never did it." 

Not bad. A life bird while lying in a hammock. Be on the lookout around your house. Time will tell.

Thanks, Nick.

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