SCHIESS: Hair Woodpecker – King of the Backyard - East Idaho News
Living the Wild Life

SCHIESS: Hair Woodpecker – King of the Backyard

  Published at  | Updated at

hairy26-13

From my kitchen window, I watched as a male Hairy Woodpecker attacked a smaller Downy woodpecker and then a pair of flickers as each came to eat on his favorite suet feeder. Grabbing my camera I walked slowly toward the tree, trying to stay somewhat hidden behind another tree and the trampoline. Those actions were not necessary as this Hairy wanted a fight and he was not willing to give up his lunch; not even to me even though I purchased it.

hairy2-11

An explosive “ Kweek “ came out of the medium-sized woodpecker as he fluttered his wings, raised them, crest rising and head bobbing. This continued for a couple of minutes while I stood motionless except to snap photos. Once it began eating again I inched closer, getting within eight feet of this beautiful black and white bird with its red cap on the back of his head. Much like a Madison High School baseball player relaxing in the dugout.

The suet cake was almost gone and as he pounded away on the frozen morsel it fell to the ground. Quickly he flew to the ground, directed his bill toward me, gave a loud “rattle” call, pounded the food into little bite-sized pieces, swallowed all of them and flew to the base of the tree. Hopping up the tree using his stiff tail feathers for support and balance, he was soon at the empty feeder. Unhappy with its emptiness, he flew off to the Teton River bottoms. I loaded the feeder cage with his favorite Nutty flavored suet and headed back to the house.

With the temperatures being colder than a pagan’s heart, many birds seek the fatty suet cakes positioned in backyards. It was not long before the male Downy was back with his two flicker friends along with a host of English sparrows, Black-capped chickadees, and European starlings. The Hairy must have found another feeder or some natural food as it was three days before he reappeared – with a girlfriend. The female did not have the red patch on the back of her head.

hairy22-13

When eating natural food the Hairy is a specialized machine. With a cushioned large bill they can remove wood in a hurry. Once they have chiseled enough wood they employ their special tongue. It is barbed and they sneak it through the hole, “hook” the insect and deposit it between the strong mandibles of its bill. Wood boring insects, grubs and beetles are their favorite summer foods.

hairy21-13

Two months before nesting begins, a year-around female will stake out her desired area where she would like to nest. To announce her desire for a mate, she will start “drumming” on trees to attract a desired companion. She will then choose her mate for the season from those who come courting. He will be required to find a suitable tree for a nest and a cavity is drilled out of a hollow tree, usually under a limb for protection from rain. With a lot of suitable nesting areas along the Teton River bottoms, Hair woodpeckers will use them for nesting, but use my yard for getting cheap, fatty fast food.

It is a good companionship. While they get fat greasy food I get entertainment watching their battles, dating and other quirky behaviors.

Living the Wild Life is brought to you by The Healing Sanctuary.

SUBMIT A CORRECTION