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| Dead trees provide homes, nesting places and food for birds. |
I was on the sofa and heard a strange sound. I saw small objects flying through the air and traced them back to a Pileated Woodpecker drilling into a dead tree. The more he pecked, the more the wood chips flew.
I knew it was a Pileated Woodpecker by its large size, black colouring and distinctive red topknot. They're common in our area, but it's the first I've seen.
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| The woodpecker was drilling for his dinner, not making a nest hole. |
After he worked for a while, he stuck his head inside a nearby hole. He obviously was gobbling up some ants or insects he had dislodged and sent scurrying into his makeshift bowl. Yum!
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| Eating the "fruits" of his labour. |
This was a good example of how you can find nature in your own backyard. Go see what you can find in yours. If you have children, it makes a wonderful learning experience. I have so many fond memories of exploring nature with Mom and Dad. I remember many of the things I learned to this day and it's probably why I love float cabin living so much. -- Margy
I love woodpeckers. We used to have a wood pecker who tried to poke a hole in our metal chimney in Alberta, he kept trying but fortunately never was successful :)
ReplyDeleteWe had one up at the cabin. It was an American Flicker. It drilled a hole in the eaves trying to make a nest. We covered up the area, but there is a small area in the tar paper to remind us of the incident. - Margy
Deletehe was on my hummingbird feeder yesterday
ReplyDeleteWhen my mom lived in this condo I had a seed bird feeder on the porch. It was very messy but was a fun way to find out which birds lived next door in the natural area. - Margy
DeleteThe Pileated Woodpecker is one I've always wanted to see but never have. Despite two trips to Long Point Bird Observatory in Canada in the springtime!
ReplyDeleteAnd you have the owls I've never seen in nature. Maybe we should trade experiences. - Margy
DeleteHello, awesome sighting of the Pileated Woodpeckers. They are another one of my many favorite birds. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Enjoy your day, wishing you a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteWoodpeckers are a fun bird to watch, as long as they are using trees and not walls. - Margy
DeleteThey sure can dig deep into a tree can't they? I love seeing birds like this one! enjoy!
ReplyDeleteIt was amazing to watch and see how fast he could get deep into the wood. - Margy
DeleteI love them. You wonder how such a big bird can survive on bugs!
ReplyDeleteI often wonder how birds and other animals find enough food in nature. Some times of the year there seems to be abundance and others not so much. - Margy
DeleteLovely birdpictures! Happy sunday!
ReplyDeleteWe are so lucky to have a natural space right behind us. I'm always watching and listening for interesting happenings. - Margy
DeleteThat's a lovely bird.
ReplyDeleteThey are fun to watch, as long as they aren't drilling on our cabin. - Margy
DeleteIt is a beautiful looking woodpecker.
ReplyDeleteOver the years I've seen three kinds here in Bellingham, the Pileated, a Downy Woodpecker and the Northern Flicker. - Margy
Delete“Woody” was a wonderful find and you got great pictures! You’re so right about the importance of kids learning about nature .
ReplyDeleteWith our windows open from spring through fall we can hear all the action out in the creek area. You never know what might appear. - Margy
DeleteIf it had a blue suit, it could pass for Woody Woodpecker. :-) I've yet to see a woodpecker in person. I've seen the trees where they've been. That's neat too.
ReplyDeleteSame for me with owls. Someday I hope to see one. - Margy
DeleteWOW! I've never seen a woodpecker in person, let alone the Pileated Woodpecker!
ReplyDeleteIf it hadn't been drilling so loudly I would have missed it. - Margy
DeleteA species similar to the red-headed woodpecker is also common in Romania. It is a nice and useful bird, in our country it is also called "the forest doctor".
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing!
Have a good day!
How did it get the name of forest doctor? - Margy
DeleteMargy - as you know, I only have to look out my window to see wildlife or nature in action! We do have pileated woodpeckers in our area, but they are pretty secretive compared to the ones I knew in the Midwest. I hear their laughing cackle much more often than I see them! Great pictures!
ReplyDeleteI was just saying to way it would have been nice to be living in a single family home with a yard right now, but we travel so much it would be hard to have in the future. - Margy
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeletethis woodpecker looks so funny to me... ;)
Happy Wednesday!
The can be cocky little creatures. - Margy
DeleteI have not seen a woodpecker very close. Only I heard the sound.
ReplyDeleteThank you for these images!
Happy WW and all the best!
We have several dead trees behind the condo so it is a good spot for them to look for food or build nests. - Margy
DeleteNice photos!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I enjoy your posts and pictures as well. - Margy
DeleteThis woodpecker is new to me and its good to know and see the various species.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I would like to do is learn birds by their songs and calls. There are so many I hear but can't see. - Margy
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