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When first hatched, the young are little more than embryos for they are naked and blind. They are fed a rich diet of partially digested insects that is pumped into the young by regurgitation. Young Red-bellied Woodpeckers don’t leave the nesting cavity until they are 24 days old. At that age, they are ready for the world after a few days of being fed by the adults outside the nest cavity.
Storing food for the future is a characteristic of several species of woodpeckers. The Red-bellied is no exception; it not only stores seeds for future consumption in holes in trees but places insects there as well.
Woodpeckers are not noted for the beauty of their vocal efforts. Their calls are loud and the Red-bellied had a number of abrupt, repeated sounds such as churr, churr. Tapping on wood is their primary means of communication and this carries far.
For his journal entry for March 22, 1853, Henry David Thoreau wrote: “The tapping of the woodpecker, rat-tat-tat, knocking at the door of some sluggish grub to tell him that spring has arrived . . . this is one of the season sounds, calling the roll of birds and insects, the reveille.” Reveille, a wake-up call for a day or season.”
The Red-bellied Woodpecker does not migrate so is with us throughout the year. Soon the rhythmic tapping of this handsome woodpecker will resonant among the tree trunks. I am ready for that sign of spring. Whether well-named or not, the Redbellied is a splendid bird. May they continue to hold their own against pestiferous Starlings and brighten the day by a visit to the bird feeder.
Virginia naturalist John Trott may be reached at PO. Box 59, Washington, Va., 22747.
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