Woodpeckers get along with their neighbors Nest areas defended, though

Recently a reader contacted me in response to the column on merlins a couple of weeks back.

“Some time would you do a similar story on robins, hummingbirds, and woodpeckers?” Mildred Bennett wrote. “It is very interesting to learn how and where birds nest, eat, care for their young, etc.”

I realized it had been awhile since I had written about our common backyard birds, and Mildred’s question prompted me to revisit the subject. This will be the beginning of a short series of columns about the life histories of our familiar feathered neighbors. First up: the hairy woodpecker.

This woodpecker is common in Maine, residing here year-round. Although they do not migrate, individual birds may move beyond their normal range (which encompasses 6-8 acres) in winter in response to food shortages. They are mostly monogamous; a pair will remain in their home range throughout the year, but only associate closely during the breeding and raising of their young. During this time, they will defend a small territory around the nest site located within their range.

Interestingly, however, the range itself is not defended and may actually overlap other hairy woodpecker ranges. This is related to their year-round resident status: they get to know their fellow woodpecker neighbors and all respect each other’s boundaries.

Individual boundaries are sometimes not respected, however, when it comes time to breed. Often an unattached bird will challenge another of its gender for its mate. I gathered from the literature that actual physical fights aren’t common; instead, the birds engage in a series of ritualized postures and behaviors that can be comical to watch. This can include the bird perching on a vertical surface and rhythmically weaving its bill back and forth, while vocalizing loudly. The birds may also freeze in a perching position within sight of one another, remaining still for as long as 20 minutes.

Hairy woodpeckers most often choose live trees (I’ve seen them in beech and birch) in which to nest. The actual nest cavity may take them 1-3 weeks to excavate. The young hatch after a short incubation period of 11-15 days, after which they become extremely vocal in demanding food. Their shrill begging calls can be heard from quite a distance, and I’ve found about half a dozen nest cavities this way.

Both parents care for the young, but I was fascinated to learn the male roosts within the cavity overnight and incubates the eggs. The female relieves him come morning, and they alternate incubation duties throughout the day.

The nestling phase for hairy woodpeckers lasts about one month. When the young leave the nest they are already surprisingly strong fliers, and are only fed by the parents for a few more days. Once they can feed themselves, they strike out on their own and the parents remain on their home range.

Oh, and one more thing: its name – “hairy” – refers to long, hair-like, white feathers in the middle of its back, which may serve a sensory function.

I’ve long wondered about the origin of the name myself.

NEWS bird columnist Chris Corio can be reached at bdnsports@bangordailynews.net