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woodpeckers

17 years ago

I am looking for some specific information on woodpeckers in general or any specific species you know about if anyone knows the answers or can point me to a resource I would greatly appreciate it.

1.) What times of day are woodpeckers most active?

2.) When do they spend the most time foraging and when do they spend the most time perched?

5.) How much area does a woodpeckers home range generaly encompass?

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Comments (2)

rachel_frome_ky
17 years ago
You can google, or try Wikipedia and follow the links if you don't want to go to the library. The answers to your questions differ according to the species. I assume you are referring to North American species?
birding_nut
17 years ago
I study nest-site selection and reproductive success of White-headed and Hairy Woodpeckers in Washington. I can tell you that the birds are most active in the morning and again in late afternoon. But, that of course changes seasonally, being more active mostly all day in winter and when they are feeding young in summer. But in summer, they are generally less active during the heat of mid-day. As to how much time spent foraging and perching, that would have to depend on the bird, the species, the weather, and probably other factors.

Home ranges vary considerably by species and habitat. For instance, in western WA, Hairy Woodpeckers have been found to have a mean home range of 143 acres. White-headed Woodpecker home ranges can be as small as 165 acres in ponderosa pine habitat that is intact and contains old-growth trees but can be as large as 1100 acres in highly fragmented habitat with less old-growth trees. Compare this to Northern Flickers in British Columbia which had a mean home range much smaller at only 61 acres.

BN
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