All About The Woodpecker


Comes north in May--often stays all winter--most commonly seen in the

fall.



Song--shrill, lively call resembling the voice of the tree-frog.



Male and female have crimson head and neck--upper parts black with

white marking--white band across wings--most conspicuous when bird is

in flight.



Lower parts white--bill wedge-shaped, strong, and sharp--tail strong

and stiff, used as a brace when clinging to a tree-trunk and tapping

with bill--toes arranged two in front and two behind for better support

in clinging to tree trunks, etc.



Young birds resemble the parents, except that in colour they are a

mottled gray.



Food is largely fruit--green corn, nuts, and larval insects procured

from tree-trunks.--Sometimes stores away nuts, etc.



Place chosen for nest is usually a rotting tree, which is easier to

bore.--Hollow from fifteen to eighteen inches deep.--Eggs pure white,

generally six in number.



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