Pileated Mom and Jr
by Nava Thompson
Title
Pileated Mom and Jr
Artist
Nava Thompson
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Junior woodpecker waiting for mom to feed him. The mother shared the suet several times behind the tree beak to beak. Junior appears to be sporting a very cool hair style.These birds mainly eat insects, especially carpenter ants and wood-boring beetle larvae. They also eat fruits, nuts, and berries, including poison ivy berries.[6] Pileated Woodpeckers will often chip out large and roughly rectangular holes in trees while searching out insects, especially ant galleries.[4] They also will lap up ants by reaching with their long tongue into crevices. They are self-assured on the vertical surfaces of large trees but can seem awkward while feeding on small branches and vines. Pileated woodpeckers may also forage on or near the ground, especially around fallen, dead trees, which can contain a smorgasbord of insect life. They may forage around the sides of human homes or even cars and can occasionally be attracted to suet-type feeders. Although they are less likely feeder visitors than smaller woodpeckers, Pileateds may regularly be attracted to them in areas experiencing harsh winter conditions.Usually, Pileated woodpeckers excavate their large nests in the cavities of dead trees. Woodpeckers make such large holes in dead trees that the holes can cause a small tree to break in half. The roost of a Pileated Woodpecker usually has multiple entrance holes. Pileated Woodpeckers raise their young every year in a hole in a tree. In April, the hole made by the male attracts a female for mating and raising their young. Once the brood is raised, the Pileated Woodpeckers abandon the hole and will not use it the next year. When abandoned, these holes�made similarly by all woodpeckers�provide good homes in future years for many forest song birds and a wide variety of other animals. Locally, owls and tree-nesting ducks may largely rely on holes made by Pileateds in which to lay their nests. Even mammals such as raccoons may use them. Other woodpeckers and smaller birds such as wrens may be attracted to Pileated holes to feed on the insects found in them. Ecologically, the entire woodpecker family is important to the well being of many other bird species. The Pileated Woodpecker will also nest in nest boxes about 15 ft (4.6 m) off the ground.These birds mainly eat insects, especially carpenter ants and wood-boring beetle larvae. They also eat fruits, nuts, and berries, including poison ivy berries.[6] Pileated Woodpeckers will often chip out large and roughly rectangular holes in trees while searching out insects, especially ant galleries.[4] They also will lap up ants by reaching with their long tongue into crevices. They are self-assured on the vertical surfaces of large trees but can seem awkward while feeding on small branches and vines. Pileated woodpeckers may also forage on or near the ground, especially around fallen, dead trees, which can contain a smorgasbord of insect life. They may forage around the sides of human homes or even cars and can occasionally be attracted to suet-type feeders. Although they are less likely feeder visitors than smaller woodpeckers, Pileateds may regularly be attracted to them in areas experiencing harsh winter conditions.Usually, Pileated woodpeckers excavate their large nests in the cavities of dead trees. Woodpeckers make such large holes in dead trees that the holes can cause a small tree to break in half. The roost of a Pileated Woodpecker usually has multiple entrance holes. Pileated Woodpeckers raise their young every year in a hole in a tree. In April, the hole made by the male attracts a female for mating and raising their young. Once the brood is raised, the Pileated Woodpeckers abandon the hole and will not use it the next year. When abandoned, these holes�made similarly by all woodpeckers�provide good homes in future years for many forest song birds and a wide variety of other animals. Locally, owls and tree-nesting ducks may largely rely on holes made by Pileateds in which to lay their nests. Even mammals such as raccoons may use them. Other woodpeckers and smaller birds such as wrens may be attracted to Pileated holes to feed on the insects found in them. Ecologically, the entire woodpecker family is important to the well being of many other bird species. The Pileated Woodpecker will also nest in nest boxes about 15 ft (4.6 m) off the ground.
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July 8th, 2012
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Comments (9)
Rosanne Jordan
Not one but two at the same time! Great shot! voted
Nava Thompson replied:
Rosanne--the 'junior' kept hiding behind the tree--and would look around at the camera--then the mother would go behind the tree to feed him. Do not see them very often. Thank you for comments and vote!
Nava Jo Thompson
Nadine and Bob -- thank you for featuring 'Pileated Mom and Jr.' in 'Beauty of this World'!
Nava Jo Thompson
Nadine and Bob--thank you for your work on 'USA Artist News' and for the feature of 'Pileated Mom and Jr'!
Nava Jo Thompson
Gene--I really appreciate your comments. I know--that is the Junior--and he kept looking around the tree watching his mother. I guess the hair style runs in the family. Thanks for the vote ! :)
Karol Livote
I have one in my woods & have not seen him at the feeders at all & have not been able to capture him!! How did you get 2?? :>) v
Nava Thompson replied:
Karol--my book says that it takes heavy stalking to see them. Rarely do they come to the feeders--they like peanut butter suet, reg suets and sunflower seeds. They are fun to watch--and we can hear them at times in the distance. This one with the Junior was a first. Thank you for the feature and the vote. :)