WOODPECKER “KINDERGARTEN”


Downy Woodpeckers

It’s hard to keep track about all the activities going on these days in our woods. However, we can’t overlook the feeding of the woodpeckers because it happens right in front of the house. Our smallest ones, the Downy Woodpeckers, have at least two juveniles to feed. The young male on the left gets stuffed with some peanut suet from its mother. They do not hang out here all day long but in the mornings and evenings a seed or nut snack seems to be a very welcome addition to the protein rich food of insects or caterpillars.

Hairy Woodpecker

The much bigger Hairy Woodpeckers have at least two young ones. Their offspring seems to be a little more independent already. The juveniles take mostly care for themselves but are still closely watched by the parents. They have already the same size as the adults but still move a bit clumsy when they go up or down on a tree trunk.