Woodpeckers will dig a new nest every year, which provides suitable nesting holes for other hole birds. Both male and female work together in this hard task, that might take them three or four weeks to complete.
She worked away while I took photos, and filmed her, and she was still working when I left.
The female on the high branches of a horse chestnut, with buds about to burst
most of the shots I took of chiselling are blurry, but this one captured the moment of impact, and the closed eyes of the woodpecker at this point.
A short clip follows.
The last picture is particularly remarkable. Woodpeckers have evolved several protective mechanisms to avoid damage from pecking: a thick skull with an impact-absorbing spongy bone lining into which the brain fits tightly to stop it from slopping around; a large hyoid bone to reinforce the head; and, as shown here, extra strong eyelids to keep the eyes from popping out.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ralph, I was surprised to get any photos focused as she was working non-stop. My son watched the video and asked how is it that they don't get brain damage. Great Spotted Woodpeckers are in the increase in the area and I have seen evidence of breeding locally, but not at the park. It would be great if they are successful.
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