Three Beaks A Day!

There is something fascinating about watching birds. Some will swoop in and out in a flash, others will sit and stay a while. There are some that sing beautifully in the trees and others that may cackle or hum. Then there are those that will hammer and knock that makes your head rise up to the heights of the trees to see.

The beaks that hammer are of course woodpeckers. This fall I seem to have attracted three different woodpeckers to my landscape. Two I've seen before, but the third is a new addition to my beak roster.

Maybe you have one or all of these unique beaks in your landscape?

The Downy 

A bold, frequently seen checker board colored little bird who forges for food both on suet feeders, on branches and trees. It's a fun bird to watch as it has a nervous dance up and down, side ways and backwards to find its food. They are typically 5.5" in length and will typically snack on suet feeders and insects. As is usual for a bird, the male is usually more colorful sporting a small red cap on the back of the neck. Why is that do you think that male birds are often more handsome than the female bird? Cardinals are a perfect example of that.

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The Pileated

I first noticed this particular beak in my landscape last year high above the trees in a remote area of my yard. I've always been fascinated by this particular woodpecker as they are much larger than the common Northeast woodpecker. In fact, it is the largest woodpecker here in New Jersey. They sport a body that measures anywhere from 15-19" long and a fantastic wingspan that can spread out to 29"! Except for their head their body could be mistaken for a crow, except it is the large red cap and the black and white zebra looking face that gives them away. Of course, their large hammering sound will definitely catch your attention as well.

You can usually hear them drilling away at dead branches and tree trunks high above as they rarely visit low to the ground, at least during my sightings. Have you seen large holes in your trees? It is more than likely from a Pileated's visit. While I've heard and read that they will often set nest in some of the larger holes they've created, I've yet to experience that here at Tranquil Acres. Their main diet includes, insects, fruits and nuts. 

Click on the picture to see a recent video I took of a Pileated hard at work! 

Not only am I lucky enough to have one of these beaks in my yard, during any given day, I can hear and see three!

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The Red-Bellied

Ironically, this beak does not sport a red belly like its name would make you think, however, it does have a beautiful red head and a beautiful back that will catch your eye. Although not to be confused with the "Red Headed" Woodpecker, this beak can fly in and out making quite a spectacle.

Although often seen on the trunks of large trees pecking at bark rather than its friend the Pileated who is a driller, I've most often seen this particular woodpecker visit my Birding Tree and hover around the lower portion of the trunk and even feed on the ground. They are usually a handsome 9.5" long, with an unmistakable wingspan of up to 16". Another interesting fact about the Red-Bellied woodpecker is that they have a very long tongue. In fact, when extended it can be as long as 2" beyond the length of their beak! It has a well rounded diet of insects, plant material, bark, acorns, pine cones and the seeds from annuals and perennials that have been left standing during fall and winter.

Out of all the woodpeckers that I've ever had visit, the Red-Bellied is a first for Tranquil Acres this year! I hope he stays around a while so I can learn more about him.

While many are afraid of the onset of woodpeckers in their landscape because of the threat they can cause to homes, there is usually an underlying cause to why a woodpecker would be forging on your siding. Consider them one of life's pleasures as these beaks are ones to seek!