Woodpeckers will always leave a mark for their fascinating pecking abilities. These birds are small to medium-sized and have strong bills that are used for drilling and drumming on trees. They are members of the family Picidae and are known to be the only bird that can peck without getting a headache. Most woodpecker species reside in tropical areas, with very few living in temperate regions. While they're always trendy for their pecking ability, woodpeckers do more than just drill trees. Let's look at some of the things woodpeckers do all day. Woodpeckers Love to Drill Holes A woodpecker's favorite activity is probably drilling holes. Woodpeckers peck wood using their long, sharp beaks to make small or large holes in trees. The hole size will depend on the type of food the woodpecker is looking for. Smaller holes are usually made to eat insects. The woodpecker will insert its bill into the hole and use its long tongue to flick the insects out. Larger holes are made to store food or to make a nest. The woodpecker will line the hole with soft materials like moss, leaves, or hair. Some woodpeckers will even use their drilling skills to create music! The Northern Flicker, for example, will drum its beak on metal objects to make a loud noise. The most common place to see these little creatures is on a tree trunk, specifically drilling dead trees. Woodpeckers Drum To Communicate With Others Woodpeckers use their ability for communication. If you hear woodpecker drums, they're probably finding a mate or declaring their territory. The sound is made by the woodpecker rapidly hitting its beak against a hard surface. This behavior is more common in male woodpeckers since they need to attract females and keep other males away from their territory. Woodpeckers also use their beaks to create a knocking sound to communicate with other woodpeckers. This sound is usually used to warn others of predators or to alert others of food sources. Hunting And Foraging For Food Woodpeckers will eat larvae, ants, spiders, and other small insects. While foraging for food, the woodpecker will use its long tongue to lap up the insects. If you're lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a woodpecker in action, you'll notice they have a unique way of hunting. The woodpecker will sit on the tree and look around for prey. When it spots an insect, it lunges forward and catches the bug with its beak. Establish Territories Drumming is not only used for attracting mates but it's also used to establish territories. Woodpeckers will drum on trees and other surfaces to let other woodpeckers know where their territory is. The drumming noise is made by the woodpecker rapidly hitting its beak against a hard surface. This behavior is more common in male woodpeckers since they need to keep other males away from their territory. Female woodpeckers are usually more subtle when it comes to establishing their territory. Instead of drumming, they will use their beaks to make a knocking sound. This sound is generally used to warn others of predators or to alert others of food sources. Building Their Nest Woodpeckers will build nests during nesting season. The male woodpecker will find a suitable nesting site and start drilling holes to make the nest. After the nest is created, the female woodpecker will lay between two and eight eggs. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks. When the chicks are old enough, they will leave the nest and establish their territories. Even though woodpeckers are small birds, they significantly impact the ecosystem. By eating insects, they help to control insect populations. And drilling holes in trees help aerate the tree and make them healthier. So the next time you see a woodpecker, take a moment to appreciate all the hard work they do! Woodpeckers' Mating Habit Woodpeckers are monogamous, which means they will mate with one partner for their lifetime. The breeding season for woodpeckers usually starts in late spring and lasts until early summer. During this time, the male woodpecker will find a suitable nesting site and start drilling holes to make the nest.  More About Woodpeckers About 300 species of woodpeckers exist worldwide, and about 22 of those types live in the United States. The most common type of woodpecker in North America is the Downy Woodpecker. These little birds are black and white with a small patch of red on their heads. The biggest woodpecker in North America is the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. These birds are about 20 inches long and have black feathers with white stripes running down their backs. The male Ivory-billed Woodpeckers also have a red crest on their heads. Although this animal loves to live in forests, some species, like the Gila Woodpecker, can be found in deserts. And the Lewis' Woodpecker can be found in open woodlands and forests. No matter where they live, all woodpeckers have one thing in common: their long tongues! These tongues can be up to 4 inches long and are sticky, so they can help the bird lap up bugs. Woodpecker Damage Woodpeckers are undeniably intriguing. But along this, some people may view them as pests because they can damage homes and other structures. The woodpecker's beak is designed for drilling into trees. But this same beak can also leave dents in siding and shingles. And if the woodpecker continues to peck at the same spot, it can create a hole. More often than not, they don't just leave a single hole but a series of holes that form an unappealing appearance. To deter woodpeckers, you can try hanging shiny objects or wind chimes near the area where the bird is pecking. The movement and noise will startle the woodpecker and make it fly away. You can also try using an Ultrasonic Bird Repellent. These devices emit high-frequency sounds that only birds can hear. While woodpeckers can be pesky, it's important to remember all the good they do for the environment. So the next time you see one, take a moment to appreciate these fantastic birds! Final Thoughts Woodpeckers are famous for their wood-pecking ability. They drill holes to make music, establish territory, and build nests. These flying creatures act as biological control agents. By eating insects, they help to control insect populations. While these animals are famous for this behavior, we've discussed that these creatures don't just peck. They also use their beaks to make a knocking sound to communicate with other woodpeckers. This is usually done to warn others of predators or to alert others of food sources. We hope you enjoyed learning more about woodpeckers and their behavior! To explore more about woodpecker activities and their fascinating nesting habits, click here: woodpecker activities. Woodpecker FAQs Why do woodpeckers love to drum in trees, metal items, and houses? Woodpecker drumming is a way to communicate with other woodpeckers. The woodpecker makes a noise rapidly, hitting its beak against a hard surface. Why do woodpeckers drill holes into trees? Woodpeckers drill holes so they can build their nests. They will also use this to establish their territory and find a mate during breeding. Aside from this, they are doing this in search of carpenter bees or insects that hide under the bark of trees. How to deter woodpeckers from my property? You can use bird netting, plastic owls, and wind chimes to deter woodpeckers from your property. It would help if you also try to make your property less attractive to woodpeckers by removing standing water and eliminating potential food sources.  You can also scare birds by displaying a replica of their predators or making loud noises. Where do woodpeckers live? Woodpeckers are found in woods all over the world. They usually use tree trunks of hollow trees or fallen logs as their habitat. 

• Brian Moss (President)
• AAAC Wildlife Removal

11/28/2022

Total words : 1305

The wood-pecking ability alone is already a wow factor for woodpeckers. How much more when we find out these animals can grow large too? In the United States and many places worldwide, woodpecker pecking is considered a sign of friendship and happiness. If you pay close attention, distinctive sounds come from woodpeckers' drilling and drumming. And around the world, they have over 300 species. So there is a solid odd that these creatures will have different sizes, from being unbelievably small to intriguingly big. Let's find out the largest woodpecker ever recorded! What is the largest woodpecker known? The largest woodpecker in the world is known as the Imperial woodpecker. Measuring up to 23.6 inches (60 cm), this bird resides in Mexico's Sierra Madre Occidental range. These species count as critically endangered as they disappeared almost a century ago and no living specimen has been recorded since 1956. The Three Largest Woodpeckers Recorded Among all species of woodpeckers, three of their abundant populations gain prominence in size. Here are the largest woodpeckers: Largest Woodpecker: Imperial The Imperial Woodpecker is the largest of its kind, as mentioned earlier. It can grow up to 23.6 inches (60 cm), with a wingspan reaching 30 inches. The last recorded sighting of this species was in 1956 in Mexico's Sierra Madre Occidental range. They have black bodies with large white stripes on their wings. The male has a red crest, while the female has a black crest. These woodpeckers create large nests by excavating holes in rotten trees. They primarily feed on insect larvae, usually hiding under the barks of dead trees. Imperial woodpeckers face the challenge of extinction because each breeding pair needs to situate in a large area of forest to survive. It's known to be at least 10 square miles. So with extreme deforestation in Mexico, these species found it challenging to reproduce and multiply. Largest Woodpecker: Ivory-Billed Woodpecker The Ivory-Billed Woodpecker is another species that has stirred intrigue over the years regarding its existence. It is another large woodpecker with an ivory-bill and measures 21 inches (51 cm). This species is only found in Cuba and South America. In the 1880s, the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker was already classed as endangered. They were thought to be extinct not just once but many times in their lifetime. This is because when they're finally declared extinct, evidence and sightings of a small population suddenly appear and declare existence. Hence, it has been removed from the extinct species list many times, only to be returned when it disappears without a trace. These species prefer forest habitats. But because of extreme logging and deforestation, they are now classified as near extinction. Currently, there is no knowledge if the remaining individuals are thriving to live or if they've unfortunately lost the battle against nature. The Ivory-Billed Woodpeckers are black with white patches on their neck and a little white patch on their wings. Like other species, the males have a red crest, while the females have a black. Largest Woodpecker: Pileated Woodpecker The Pileated Woodpecker is another member of the largest species bagging North America's largest woodpecker title (except the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, which is presumed extinct). It is native to North America and is found in some parts of Canada. They can measure 16 to 19.1 inches (48.5 cm). They are not as rare as the Imperial or Ivory-billed woodpeckers but are still threatened by deforestation in some areas. These species got their name from the Latin word pileatus, meaning "capped," which refers to their vibrant red crest. They have black bodies with white marks on their face and throat areas. They have a rich diet of insects like wood-boring beetle larvae, carpenter ants, bees, fruit, nuts, and berries. They may also drill deeper than usual on dead, large trees to invade ant nests. What makes these species unique is that instead of the traditional round hole, they often have rectangular holes when they're foraging for their prey. In addition, the males of these species showcase their drilling by making a nest before they mate with females. How did they get that large? The woodpeckers' large size is an evolutionary advantage for these species. It allows them to reach deep crevices where other birds can't, which makes it easier for them to find food. Their long tongue also helps in this department as they can reach up to 3 inches (7.5 cm). The factors that affect woodpeckers' size are their diet and their habitat. Woodpeckers with a more varied diet tend to be larger than those without. This is because they need the extra energy to fuel their body for all the different types of food they consume. As for habitat, woodpeckers living in forests are often larger than in other areas. This is because there is an abundance of food sources in forests, which allows them to grow to their full potential. The large size of these woodpeckers also makes them more resistant to predators. Their size intimidates most predators, and their sharp beaks can cause severe damage. What is the average height and size of a woodpecker? Some woodpeckers can be about the size of a crow. The average height of a woodpecker is between 16 and 19 inches (41 and 48 cm), with a wing span of up to 30 inches (76 cm). The average wingspan is between 38 and 46 inches (97 and 117 cm). The average weight is between 56 and 91 grams (2 and 4 ounces). All of these depend on the species. Some woodpeckers are very small, like the Downy Woodpecker, which only measures up to 7 inches (18 cm). On the other hand, some woodpeckers are very large, like the Pileated Woodpecker, which can measure up to 19.1 inches (48.5 cm). Want To Stop The Drumming Above Your Head? Call Us Today! When woodpeckers peck on your house siding, it can make a lot of noise and leave unpleasant traces. If you want to stop the woodpecker from damaging your home, call AAAC Wildlife Removal today. We will inspect your property and determine the best action to take. We have over two decades of experience dealing with woodpeckers and other pests, so you can rest assured that your problem will be taken care of promptly and professionally. Summary The woodpecker is a bird known for its ability to peck at trees. They have more than 300 species accounting for various colorations, behavior, and sizes. The Pileated Woodpeckers, the largest woodpecker in North America, Ivory-Billed Woodpeckers, and Imperial Woodpeckers have gained dominance, being the largest woodpeckers in the wild. Their sizes lead to various advantages, such as reaching deep crevices for food, better predator resistance, and mate selection. Even though they have many benefits, their large size can also be a disadvantage. Their weight makes it difficult for them to take off, and their long beaks can make it hard for them to find food. Despite all the disadvantages, these woodpeckers have managed to thrive for many years. And with proper conservation, we can ensure that they will continue to exist for many years to come. To learn more about the largest recorded woodpecker species and their fascinating behaviors, click here: largest recorded woodpecker. FAQs What happens to woodpecker holes after nesting? After woodpeckers nurture their young enough to be independent, they leave their nest and come back when it's the nesting season again. So long as it is still usable and convenient for woodpecker parents to lay their eggs and raise their young. When it comes to the holes when they forage for food, swifts, ducks, bats, pine martens, and owls may utilize them for their shelter.

• Brian Moss (President)
• AAAC Wildlife Removal

11/28/2022

Total words : 1242