See Many Additional Woodpecker Photos in the
Gallery
March
22, 2009 - Food Guy mounted the new nesting box that is made for any
of three different woodpeckers, the red-bellied, hairy , or
red-headed woodpecker. The first two kinds of woodpeckers are
frequent visitors to our backyard trees and feeders. A number
of professional sources differ about the limits for the red-headed
fellow from: not seen, to rarely seen, to nesting, to year-round
resident in our area. We are hoping to see the red-headed woodpecker
in our yard. If nothing else, we look forward to our new birdhouse
being put to good use.
This nesting box comes with wood chips to spread in the bottom to
simulate the bird actually excavating the cavity in a tree and a start
to the nest. The metal plate keeps larger birds from making the entrance
hole bigger.
As novice bird watchers, we had to learn quickly the differences
between the hairy and the downy woodpeckers. The larger overall
size was how we realized that two similar woodpeckers actually were in
our backyard (often on the trees and feeders at the same time).
Next rule of thumb, or beak, is another easy way to tell- the length
of a downy's beak is half the width of his head and the hairy's beak
equals at least the width of his head. No need for rulers or
geometric equations, just plain observation.
The hairy woodpecker has a lower call and drums louder and faster
than the downy (just need a good ear for the distinction).
Hard to see at a glance, but hairy's outer tail is white , while
downy has white with dark spots or bars on his tail feathers.
The clump of feathers at the base of the beak is to protect the
woodpecker's nostrils from any wood dust or chips. Their names
refer to the appearance of these feathers- similar to hair or to down.
The hairy woodpecker is more likely to scoot up a tree and fly away
from human feeder fillers. Downys are friendlier and wait to see
what treats we brought them.
We are very pleased to be able to offer trees (old, young, alive and
dead) and feeders filled with peanut products to our faithful year-round
woodpeckers.
 |
 |
|
Size:
|
Length: 8.5-9.5 in
Weight: 2.3 oz
Wingspan: 15
in
|
|
ID:
|
Male: White back and underparts; black wings with broken
white bars; black cheeks and crown; bright red patch on back of
head divided by black, vertical line; feathered nostrils (help
filter out sawdust); mostly black tail with three white
outermost feathers; dark gray beak (almost as long as the head);
gray feet zygodactylous (feet with two toes forward and two
facing back)
Female: Same as male but no red patch on head
Juvenile: Grayer than female but both sexes have mottled red on
their foreheads.
|
|
Habitat:
|
Woodlands and suburban gardens, parklands, orchards and
forests
|
|
Diet:
|
Insects, seeds, nuts and berries; visits feeders for suet,
peanut products and sunflower seeds
|
|
Family Behavior:
|
Mating Habits: Monogamous (Some have kept same partner for
at least 4 years); solitary nester; 1 brood per year
Nests: Excavated cavity in live tree trunk; built by both male
and female; leaves wood chips in bottom of hole
Eggs: 3-6 plain white eggs; incubation 11-15 days by female
during the day and male at night
Nestlings: Born altricial
(helpless, naked, eyes closed) and stay in nest 28-30 days; fed
by both parents
|
|
Social Activities:
|
Roost in cavities at night; both male and female drum on
trunks, poles, buildings to announce territorial rights
|
|
Range:
|
Southern half of Alaska and Canada; most of US and Panama
|
|
Vocalization:
|
Loud, rapid, one pitch whinny; call a sharp peek;
wicki,wicki,wicki; rattle call sharp and high
|
|
Lifespan: |
At least 16 years |
