Greater spotted woodpecker

BettyB · #1 (**permalink**) 22-02-2010, 05:00 PM

A few days ago we watched a GSW drilling in the post that holds our feeders. Our neighbour put a peanut into the hole and said it would be a treat for the next bird to come along. Next day we were delighted to see a woodpecker ( same one, who knows? ) eating the peanut from the hole. He then returned to the feeder, extracted another nut, took it down to the hole and apparently used the hole as an egg-cup. This performance has now been repeated on two more days. Bird brain does not seem appropriate here!

Tracey.A · #2 (**permalink**) 22-02-2010, 05:37 PM

I've heard of Great Spotted woodpeckers doing this, but I've never been lucky enough to witness it. Must have been lovely to watch

Tracey

werdnal · #3 (**permalink**) 22-02-2010, 10:46 PM

We've made our own woodpecker feeder. Get a short branch or log (ours ar about a foot long), drill holes through it about the size of monkey nuts. Stuff the holes with monkey nuts (still in their shells) or fat/seed mix, hang up and watch the Woodies enjoy. It seems that pecking food from holes in the wood is a much more natural behaviour for them - they ignore the full peanut feeders and fat balls hanging around them and go for this feeder every time!

BettyB · #4 (**permalink**) 23-02-2010, 10:52 AM

Thank you Werdnal; have drilled more holes and await more woodpeckers. Will let you know.BettyB

BettyB · #5 (**permalink**) 23-02-2010, 02:34 PM

New holes soon emptied but not just by GSW; two Great Tits joined in.

Dogghound · #6 (**permalink**) 23-02-2010, 03:21 PM

Woodpeckers do this naturally by creating what is called a "woodpecker anvil" they often use it to feed on pine cones.

BettyB · #7 (**permalink**) 24-02-2010, 09:06 AM

Thank you. I also saw your Dec 2009 post. Am having a lovely time passing all information on to interested neighbours and friends.

"Our" GSWs have several variations in the colour of their breasts. Some look like a soap powder advert while others are really quite dingy. We have had families for several years now. Is the clour related to age possibly.?

werdnal · #8 (**permalink**) 24-02-2010, 10:22 PM

The youngsters tend to have duller colouring when they first fledge, but this changes as they moult into their adult plummage, but there shouldn't be any youngsters around yet this year. Males have a red patch on their head, and probably a brighter contrast between their black and white feathers. Females and youngsters only have the red rump.

I think colour strains can run in families with birds, as we have a breeding pair of buzzards here, who's young are very light, almost cream in colour compared to the usual brown.