Water is life! This month, we are highlighting the wonders of water, how it travels through Earth’s systems, and how our local and global watersheds are impacted by things like weather, climate, and our daily usage. Visit our wetland nature nook, learn what lives in our pond, view conservation features in our facility and on our grounds, […]
A bird named for its least distinguishing feature… ![]()
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During winter, woodpeckers are easy to observe because most trees have lost their leaves. The three species you are most likely to encounter are downy woodpeckers, hairy woodpeckers, and red-bellied woodpeckers because they are all very common and year-round residents in Wisconsin. We’ll post more about the downy and hairy woodpeckers another time… Today, we are focusing on red-bellied woodpeckers.![]()
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As seen in the photo, red-bellied woodpeckers have black and white zebra-like backs and a white rump. Males have a red crown that extends down to the back of their necks, while females have a light gray crown and a red nape. It’s tempting to call them red-headed woodpeckers but this name refers to another, more rare, species with heads that are entirely red. The name 'red-bellied woodpecker' is actually misleading because they don’t have striking red chests, rather tan with subtle red tinges.![]()
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Can you name any other animals with confusing names?![]()
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What signs of winter do you see? Visit us for a hike or take a walk around your neighborhood looking for cyclical events influenced by seasonal changes. ![]()
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Photos: Aldo Leopold Nature Center![]()
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#PhenologyFriday #Woodpeckers #WIEnviroEd #NatureIsEverywhere #NatureIsForEveryone #EveryBodyOutside
