Hairy Woodpeckers

It's chilly again today, though the sun is deceptively bright.  Looking outside it seems as though it should be much warmer than 28 degrees.  Leftover March winds blow a steady 15 miles an hour with gusts about 25 mph, but the woodpeckers don't mind.  That's the thing with birds, they adapt so easily to whatever happens don't they!

Male Hairy Woodpecker hugging his favorite tree.
Photo by Grandma Pearl

Hairy Woodpecker all plumped up against the cold air.
Photo by Grandma Pearl

This beautiful Hairy Woodpecker uses this swamp birch tree quite often, as you can see by the bark that has been used for insect probes.  It is located not far from the bird feeders, so it serves as a convenient destination for lots of different birds.  I have supplied my woodpeckers with suet all winter long because it is rich in fats that help keep them warm, while also keeping their feathers in tip-top shape.  

Once in a while especially in the springtime, my woodpeckers take a liking to our metal chimney pipe.  It certainly makes a distinctive sound when they begin to rat-tat-tat on it; I suspect the woodpeckers see their reflections and 'attack' the other woodpecker that has invaded its territory.  It's also a possibility that because the sound echoes far and wide, a prospective mate could easily home in on the source of that sound.

I know that lots of people have trouble with woodpeckers banging on their wood siding.  There are several reasons for that behavior, one of which is to call a potential mate to the area.  Another is to actually hunt for insects within the wood siding.  Sometimes an infestation is discovered when a homeowner asks an exterminator to investigate.  If you are having trouble with woodpeckers damaging your home, read my article about Tips to Keep Woodpeckers Away 

Grandma Pearl

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