WoodPeckers
Woodpeckers are of the Picidae
family. There are about 45 species that reside in North America. Most woodpeckers
live all year in the same area. Woodpeckers can be found in a variety
of habitats including farmlands, open woodlands, orchards, oak and pine
forest, parks and gardens. Attracting woodpeckers to your own backyard
is very enjoyable.
Description
The red-bellied
male woodpecker has red crown and nape, a black and white back, pale buff
middle and on face. Females have a red nape only and reddish patch on
lower abdomen, which is seldom visible.
The ladder-backed male woodpecker is about 7", has red cap, black-and-white
back, black-and-white facial pattern. Females are basically the
same, but with a black cap.
The downy woodpecker is about 6", black and white, with small red
patch in nape on male.
The golden-fronted male woodpecker is about 7" tall, has a red cap,
black-and-white back, strong black-and-white facial pattern with gold
above beak. Females have a black cap and prominent gold patch above beak.
Feeding
The red-bellied
woodpecker eats nuts, fruit and insects. Often works upward on trees.
Occasionally feed on ground.
Ladder-backed woodpeckers eat fruit and cactus.
The downy woodpecker eats insects; fruit, seeds, and sap.
The golden-fronted woodpecker eats fruit including cactus.
Eggs
The red-bellied
woodpecker lays 4-5 white eggs in a tree cavity, usually near edges of
woodlands.
The Ladder-backed woodpecker lays 4-5 white eggs in a hole in a tree,
cacti, or posts.
The downy woodpecker lays 6-8 white eggs in a hole in a tree.
The golden-fronted woodpecker lays 4-5 white eggs in a hole in a tree,
cacti, or posts.
Habitat
The red-bellied
woodpecker's habitat is deciduous forests, wet woodlands, pine forests,
oak woods, parks, shade-trees in the city, wooded bottomlands, and swamps.
Undulating flight, like most other woodpeckers. Breeds from South Dakota
to new England, south to Gulf coast, Florida, winters in breeding range.
Ladder-backed woodpecker's
habitat is scrublands, cottonwood groves, brushy areas along small streams,
wooded canyons, and brush lands with cactus and mesquite. Resident of
southwest US east to Oklahoma, south to tropics.
The downy woodpecker is common and widespread in deciduous and mixed forests,
small woodlots, suburbs, orchards, and gardens. Often found in willow
and trees along stream, in the west. May hang like a chickadee from small
branches or leaves. Comes to feeders.
The golden-fronted woodpecker lives in scrublands, cottonwood groves and
brushy areas along streams, wooded canyons, and brush lands with cactus
and mesquite.
Voice
The red-bellied
woodpecker's voice is chuck-chuck-chuck, descending in pitch.
The Ladder-backed woodpecker has a sharp pitch!, similar to that of Downy.
The downy woodpecker has a quiet pitch and a descending rattle.
The golden-fronted woodpecker is a sharp pitch, similar to that of Downy.
