Unseasonably warm temperatures brought rapid snowmelt running down still frozen ground. A Pileated Woodpecker took advantage of the freshwater to drink and bath in.
This is the first time I have ever seen a Pileated bathing. With all the water available yesterday, I would not have assumed such a large bird would try to get all its feathers wet in such a swallow rivulet.
This is an example of shallow is better when it comes to birds’ preferred bathing spots. Keep that in mind when you are looking at purchasing a bird bath or refilling the one you have.
It really looks like he took advantage of it! Such a great catch!