Among the most endearing has been a pair of adult Downy Woodpeckers Picoides pubescens with just one juvenile male. Over time they have become more and more accustomed to us and now if we sit quietly at the patio table they carry on with their business quite unconcerned.
Both parents are active in feeding their youngster but from what we have observed the male seems to do the lion's share of the work.
However, the female is never far away and gets involved too.
The male is quite an acrobat (as are all woodpeckers, of course) and seems to prefer to hang from the bottom of the suet feeder and sometimes remains there motionless for minutes on end.
We have been left wondering what mishap might have befallen the other young of this pair's clutch, but the remaining offspring seems healthy and robust and is no doubt benefitting from exclusive access to parental care. He is perfectly capable of feeding himself but whenever an adult is near he reverts to wing fluttering and begging for food, to which the parent responds without fail.
We certainly have enjoyed being a witness to this woodpecker saga and will be a little sad perhaps when the youngster gains full independence and no longer comes as part of a family group.
Nice to look at the little family of birds. I hope that the young birds will be independent in their adult life. Greetings.
ReplyDeleteCute series, it is neat seeing all the young birds begging for their food. Happy 4th of July, have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThe youngster will not forget this garden and returns as a father for its own offspring.
ReplyDeleteYou have a beautiful garden and a great place to watch at the birds and the bees ;)
Beautiful photos of the woodpecker's family. Have a nice weekend. Gr Jan W
Hello David, great to have these Woodpeckers in your garden. Must indeed be a joy to watch them in their daily routine. Your photos give a good impression of your garden and the birds.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Roos
Hello David,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures of the woodpecker family.
You have a beautiful garden.
Best regards, Irma
Hello David,
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures. The shots with the little woodpecker is so amazing.
Great moments!!
Many greetings,
Marco
A beautiful story David, superbly illustrated. I guess that, after owls, woodpeckers are my favourite group of birds. However, I don't manage to catch up with them as often as I'd like to.
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks rather more tidy than ours. I think that I'd better attend to it before you arrive!
Best wishes to you both - - - - Richard
Don't even give it a second thought, Richard.
DeletePrecioso reportaje de comederos David, me ha gustado mucho. Saludos cordiales desde España.
ReplyDeleteGreat piece of work David, the woodpeckers are superb.
ReplyDeleteSplendid birds - managed to see Great Spotted and hear Green woodpeckers in the UK - neither are unusual, but they are a treat for me.
ReplyDeleteTrying to catch up on visits and comment while I wait for a flight - one busy week to go and it's back to normal!
Cheers - Stewart M - Heathrow Airport UK (for the next couple of hours!)
Lovely to see and like you said David, its a lush time of the year.
ReplyDeleteMike
You have a beautiful garden. Fantastic photos. Greetings :)
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to be able to see the woodpeckers in your own garden. They are beautiful birds.
ReplyDeleteWoodpeckers now at my sides prefer forests than human buildings :-) feeders have a huge :-)
ReplyDeleteNice pictures so at all.
Greets