Woodpeckers are perfectly adapted for their lives in the forest. Their distinctive drumming can mean they are trying to attract a mate, warn off other woodpecker males, build a nest, or are simply looking for food. From head to toe the woodpecker is equipped with special features for pecking wood.
• A hard skull – the woodpecker skull is specially designed to withstand repeated blows. The bones of a woodpecker skull are thicker than in other birds. Also the bones between the beak and the skull are joined by a cartilage which cushions each blow before it reaches the brain. The latter is fitted in tightly so that it cannot slam into the skull with much force. Woodpecker skulls also have something called the hyoid apparatus which provides more cushioning and also controls the movement of the tongue.
• A long tongue – woodpecker tongues can be extended 1.5-3 times the length of their beaks. The tongue is essentially rolled up in the skull and has special muscles that allow it to shoot out and grab food. The end has barbs like a fishing hook which keep the grubs from wiggling away and they are drawn out of their holes. The tongues are super sensitive helping the birds to find prey.
• A strong beak – all woodpeckers have stout, chisel-like bills to help them drill holes in trees for nesting or feeding. Male woodpeckers also drum to signal their mates or warn other males away.
• Stiff tail feathers – while the woodpecker is hammering away it is supported by specially stiffened tail feathers which anchor it against the trunk of the tree.
• Zagodactyl feet – this means that unlike other birds, woodpeckers have two toes facing front and two toes facing back. This gives the birds a solid base for clinging to the tree.
Two of the most common woodpeckers occurring in our area and that are often seen at feeders are the Downy Woodpecker and its larger cousin the Hairy Woodpecker.
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
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DOWNY WOODPECKER
Fast Facts
• Size: 14-17 cm (6-7 in)
• Wingspan: 25-30 cm (10-12 in)
• Weight: 21-28 g (0.74-0.99 ounces)• Black and white plumage
• Centre of back white• Small pointed bill, shorter than head
• Males have a red patch on the back of their heads
• Call note a sharp “pik”, also a descending whinny Hear call.
• Occurs in deciduous forests, parks and gardens across most of North America
• Feeds on insects in the stems of weeds and galls
Reproduction
• Nests in cavities in trees or dead branches
• Lays 3-8 white eggs
• Eggs hatch in 12 days!
Cool Facts
• Downy Woodpeckers get more food when they join mixed flocks of birds such as chickadees which warn them of predators
• They use the exit tubes made by larvae to pull these grubs out of galls
• Male Downy Woodpeckers feed on small branches and weed stems while females feed more on large branches and trunks of trees.
HAIRY WOODPECKER
Fast Facts
• Size: 18-26 cm (7-10 in)
• Wingspan: 33-41 cm (13-16 in)
• Weight: 40-95 g (1.41-3.35 ounces)
• Black and white plumage• Centre of back white
• Thick bill, longer or same length as head
• Males have a red patch on the back of their heads
• Call note a sharp “peek”, also a rattle on the same note Hear call.
• Occurs in mature woodland, wooded parks and gardens with large trees across most of North America; in Central America is only found at higher elevations
• Feeds on insects, spiders, fruits and seeds
Reproduction
• Nests in cavities in trees or dead branches
• Lays 3-7 white eggs
Cool Facts
• Hairy Woodpeckers like to hang out around Pileated Woodpeckers often taking food these bigger woodpeckers miss
• There are 17 different kinds of Hairy Woodpeckers, with the ones in the north being bigger than the ones in the south and birds in the west being darker underneath
• Where Downies and Hairies occur together the Downy uses smaller branches and the Hairy spends more time on the trunk. However when Downies are not present the Hairy will move to smaller branches.
