[tn-bird] Re: Red-headed Woodpeckers
- From: "W. Kelly Roy" <roywk@xxxxxxxx>
- To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 29 Jul 2002 14:39:29 -0400
TN-Birders,
Red-headed woodpeckers are probably the latest nesting woodpecker in the
southern US, often double-brooded (as many as 3 broods (?) in Florida), and
will certainly renest following unsuccessful attempts. I would suggest
that Doug's intuition regarding the feeding of young is correct, and that
this date is NOT too late for such observations. The fact that the adults
were taking (apparently equal) turns gathering food suggests the presence
of an early brood - possibly less than two weeks old(?).
This WOULD be an earlier-than-usual date for most food-storage
activities. The type of food they were carrying (if noted) would also be a
clue: insects, spiders and soft mast would lend itself toward the feeding
of young, whereas hard mast would lend itself toward a food larder
(although invertebrates are also cached).
I take it from the name of the area (Bomantown Wetlands) that there is
standing water nearby - a frequent characteristic of RHWO nest sites. I'm
curious if there is evidence of beaver or southern pine beetle activity in
the area? I think it is probably safe to say that Doug was witness to
brood-rearing, rather than caching activity. Congratulations to Doug on
his red-headed woodpecker find and for reporting it here first(?)!!!
W. Kelly Roy
Knoxville TN
At 11:25 AM 7/29/02 -0400, you wrote:
>Hello,
>
>Thought someone might like to know, I observed two Red-headed Woodpeckers
>tending a tree cavity. They were taking turns, with 1 flying away in
>search of food, while the other would stay behind in the cavity. This
>alternation continued the entire hour I stayed to observe them. I thought
>it was some what late to be feeding young, but I have yet to find any
>literature to back that up. I have also read about their behavior of
>storing food. I could not determine for certain which of the two
>behaviors I was observing, however, I am leaning toward caring for
>young. I have only been serious about bird watching for about 1.5 years
>and have not added this one to my annual list until today. This is the
>first time I have observed two together and so active. The area was the
>Bomantown wetlands (Is the name I call it). In the wood lot toward the
>back of the property.
>
>Doug Morrison
>Johnson City, TN
>
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* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society
web site at http://www.tnbirds.org
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TN-Bird Net Owner: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN
jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx (423) 764-3958
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