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Woodpecker Checking Out Nestbox

17 years ago

This morning, I happened to spot a small woodpecker at the nestbox...I've never seen this before. He or She hopped all around then entered and exited quickly. By the time I could grab the binocs, it flew away. Could this woodpecker be searching for a possible nesting site, or was it just a brief bit of curiosity? Woodpeckers visit the feeders and suet, but this sighting at the nest box was a first!

Donna

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Comments (4)

griffin_MD
17 years ago
Donna, small woodpeckers like the downies and hairies often roost in bluebird nestboxes during colder nights. Keep an eye on your nestbox entrance hole, though, because they often do some "redecorating" by enlarging the hole.
Kathy
donnalovesblue
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks Kathy, for the heads up. The Dees have been at the nestbox only once that I have seen, but the blues continue to check it out, though I haven't seen them at the box in about a week. I'll watch the entrance hole and I'm assuming I'll have to get a hole reducer if it becomes enlarged.

Donna
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griffin_MD
17 years ago
Donna, some wild bird stores actually sell a small metal plate that allows the entrance hole to remain open but protects the area around it from excavation. You screw the piece on over the existing hole so that the nestbox can still be used for roosting. Can't remember the exact name of the piece but it is similar to a hole reducer.
Kathy
nhblues
17 years ago
Out of the 10 nest boxes I have in my yard, 7 are occupied by downies at night, all year long. This is not uncommon. They are quite stealthy about going in there, though... I have never seen one enter, but if you go over to the box at dusk with a flashlight (in summer time) and make a click click with your tongue, they will pop their head to the hole to see what the commontion is... its too funny.

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