![]() Left to right: Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Yellow-bellied sapsucker The downy is very common in Pennsylvania, the hairy less common. The call of the hairy is a loud, sharp "peek." The downy's call is a much softer "pik," and it also produces a rattle of descending notes. The downy's beak is shorter than the width of its head. The hairy, 8.5 to 10.5 inches long, is larger than the downy, 6 to 7 inches long, and its beak is as long or longer than the width of its head. Both species have a white head with black crown and eye mask, and the males have a red patch on the back of the head. The tails are black with white outer feathers on the hairy and speckled outer feathers on the downy. These are the only Pennsylvania woodpeckers that have a white back. Differing only in body size and bill length, they have almost identical plumage. The call is a loud "wick, wick, wick" and sometimes a squeaky "flick-a, flick-a." Hairy and downy woodpeckers Flickers are often seen on the ground feeding on insects. ![]() It displays a black patch across the top of its spotted breast and a red crescent on its nape. The flicker is a large bird, 12 to 14 inches long, that flashes yellow under the wings and tail in flight. Left to right: Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker and Red-headed Woodpecker Northern flickerĪt one time this bird was called the yellow-shafted flicker to distinguish it from its western relative, the red-shafted flicker, but both are now considered the same species. It also stores acorns in tree cavities during the winter. Like the flicker, it is sometimes seen feeding on the ground. The large, rectangular white patches on the wings make the lower back appear white when the bird is at rest. (The juvenile's head is brown.) Both sexes have similar black and white plumage. This is a medium-sized bird, 8.5 to 9.5 inches long, and the only eastern woodpecker with an entirely red head. It has a low, hoarse call and also produces a rattling sound. It has become a popular bird at backyard feeders in Pennsylvania. Unlike most other woodpeckers, the red-bellied prefers acorns, beechnuts, hickory nuts, and many kinds of berries to insects. "Red-bellied" seems an inappropriate name because the vague reddish patch on its abdomen is difficult to see and appears almost pink.Īlthough it is found mainly in dense forests, this bird has adapted well to wooded suburbs. Red covers the crown and nape in the male and the nape only in the female. This woodpecker, which is 8 to 9 inches long, is easily recognized by its zebra-patterned back, red cape, and white rump. These powerful birds are noted for the large oval to rectangular holes they cut in dead trees, live conifers, and utility poles. A mainstay of their diet is the carpenter ant, but they also feed on beetles, wood-boring larvae, and wild fruits. Pileated woodpeckers inhabit mature coniferous and mixed-hardwood forests where dead trees abound. Its call is a series of notes, never single. The bird's distinctive drilling sound is loud, slow, and then softer at the end. The female has a black forehead and lacks the red moustache of the male. Both sexes have conspicuous flaming red crests, white cheek patches, and white neck stripes. About the size of a crow, it is easily distinguished from other woodpeckers by its solid black back and the appearance of a flashing white underwing during flight. With the exception of the extremely rare ivory-billed woodpecker, the pileated is the largest American woodpecker. Following are descriptions of the seven woodpeckers commonly seen in Pennsylvania. Most species can be easily identified by their prominent markings. The bird pumps its wings a few times, and then folds its wings against the body before another burst of wingbeats. The bird's bill loosens bark and the tongue dislodges insects from the wood. They have stout, sharp beaks and a long tongue that can be extended a considerable distance. Special physical adaptations, such as short legs, two sharp-clawed, backward-pointed toes, and stiff tail feathers, allow these birds to cling easily to a structure while pecking. This behavior is also used by the birds to establish territories and to attract mates. Woodpeckers are unique among birds because they drill into trees, primarily to find food, to nest, and to communicate with other members of their species. ![]() Seven species are common to Pennsylvania, and a few others visit the state in winter. More than 300 species of woodpeckers are known throughout the world, and 22 species inhabit the United States. Woodpeckers belong to the family Picidae, which also includes sapsuckers and flickers.
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