Red-Shafted Woodpecker
413. Colaptes cafer collaris. 13 inches.
These birds are not inclined to search for their food among the trees as are most of the woodpeckers, but may often be found on the ground on the edges of the woods or in open fields, where they secure ants as their principal article of food. The top of the head is brownish instead of gray, and the under parts of the wings, tail and the quills are reddish orange and not yellow as on the eastern varieties. The male has a bright red streak from the bill extending back and below the eye, the female does not have this. The throat is a gray, with a black crescent on the breast, under parts light gray with numerous black spots, rump is white and tail is mostly black above.
Nest.—Is placed in holes of trees in the woods, or in any locality where they make or find a suitable hole.
Four to eight white eggs (1.10 ×.90).