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Project Noah Nature School
Picoides pubescens
very small woodpecker, just a bit larger than a chickadee. black and white striped wings with white stripe down the middle. Males show a small patch of red behind the head.
forests, woods, parks, and just about anywhere there are trees.
I have been observing (from a safe distance) a Downy woodpecker nest/hole and due to an early morning fire drill at work finally got to see the chicks. There is at least one male and one female, but I suspect two females maybe present. Hard to tell as only one can stick its tiny head out of the hole at a time. the video shows the young male singing for breakfast, and mom comes to the rescue :)
Spotted on Apr 25, 2012
Submitted on Apr 25, 2012
13 Comments
Thank you blaise. There seems to be several here in the city of Tallahassee, though I don't see them very often in the woods where I live.
what amazes me is the difference in the sizes of the holes depending on the woodpecker. this particular one isn't much bigger than maybe 2 1/2 inches, compared to those made by the huge Pileated woodpeckers which can be a foot or better across. i would love to be a bug to see the inside :)
How fascinating! We've got a hole like that in one of the dead trees on our property. I had no idea it was formed by a woodpecker - it looks almost mechanically drilled. Very cool.
Thank you Freelancing and Donna. Been watching this hole since I seen the parents pecking it out.
I heart that video. Baby birds are so demanding - such an animated little guy. Thank you so much for sharing. I love the photo, too.
What a wonderful video! Such a great opportunity to watch their progress.
Thank you Christy - Just went out at lunch and they Fledged! Heard them chirping in a nearby tree and was able to get photos. Hope to post them either later today or tomorrow (busy at work today). I knew it wasn't going to be long after seeing them so far out of the hole yesterday morning.
I know some eat both seed and insects, just for some reason thought these woodpeckers ate insects only. I have been learning so much since joining Project Noah. I feel like a sponge taking in as much as I can!
Mary, that's absolutely adorable!! I know they come to our birdfeeder and eat the sunflower seeds...I never know who has what diet...some seed-eaters eat insects, and some insect-eaters eat seeds and fruit! Great series and wonderful video!!
Thank you Atul and Sachin - stopped by the tree this morning to see if the male had fledged yet - he was sticking more than halfway out, but decided against it and disappeared inside once more. I have noticed that they are being fed rip and unripe (green) wild mulberries off the bush nearby. For some reason I was under the impression they only ate insects...guess I need to research them a bit more as far as their diet goes.
superb video Mary , thanks for sharing !
Fabulous spotting, Thanks a lot for Video,
Thank you Paulette
Very cute video! :)