Sunday 26 May 2013

Great Spotted Woodpecker - woodchips

Woodpeckers make no attempt to conceal the locations of their nesting holes by removing or hiding the debris that results from excavation. Wood-chips, like these below a Great Spotted Woodpecker cavity in the Buda Hills, Hungary, are simply tossed out from the hole and lie below the nesting tree. 

Wednesday 22 May 2013

Woodpeckers in flight

Not all woodpeckers fly in an undulating, bounding manner, as is often stated. Around the world there are many that fly with flapping, crow-like wingbeat actions. In Europe, the Black Woodpecker is an example - its flight style often recalls a Jay or Nutcracker. Photo of this Black Woodpecker taken by the River Tisza in NE Hungary by Gerard Gorman.

Thursday 9 May 2013

The wonderful woodpecker bill

Woodpecker bills are impressive. They have evolved to be a multi-purpose tool... a hammer, a gouge, a chisel, a dagger. The bill is so important, it develops rapidly, being large and robust on nestlings even before they have grown feathers.