Now I Know!
The Northern Mockingbird has been a great mimic of Red-headed Woodpecker here. I have been fooled a few times thinking I was hearing a Red-headed Woodpecker or a Red-bellied Woodpecker or even a Northern Yellow-shafted Flicker Woodpecker! Now I know why. Oh the Woodpecker and the Mockingbird should be friends (to paraphrase and borrow from the great musical play, “Oklahoma” by Rogers and Hammerstein). Ha!
I was out with the camera on Sunday, August 5, 2012 and saw this juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker up on the dead top of one of the Oak Trees next to the pond here. There also was a Northern Mockingbird up near the Woodpecker. Both seemed busy working on finding insects in the tree. I think that the youngster just was inexperienced and did not mind the presence of that Mockingbird. My guess anyway. Note that the juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker actually has a dark brown head. They do not get that scarlet red color until adulthood. Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger picture. Enjoy!