Gila Woodpecker — Image by kenne
Gila Woodpecker
That busy little thug,
black-and-white suit,
red cap like a bad idea—
he’s at it again,
beak punching neat holes
in my world.
The hummingbird feeder
wasn’t made for him,
but he doesn’t give a damn
about human intention.
Long tongue dips in,
sweet stolen fuel
for the day’s racket.
Call him nosey,
call him thief,
but look closer—
he’s just another desert anarchist,
making do in a place
that gives nothing easy.
And maybe I admire him for it,
this feathered outlaw
living by wit and boldness
reminding me that survival
is never polite.
— kenne
This Gila Woodpecker Thinks She Is A Hummingbird — Images by kenne
Woodpeckers have long tongues and can hang from the feeder containing the nectar, making it easy for them to raid the feeder.
Gila Woodpecker at Patio Feeder — Image by kenne
— kenne
Gila Woodpecker On Saguaro — HDR Image by kenne
This Gila Woodpecker Thinks He’s A Hummingbird — Image by kenne
Gila woodpeckers have been coming to the hummingbird feeder for several weeks now, and when I see him, I frighten him away.
This morning I decided to get a photo. This is because woodpeckers are so adept at holding on to most anything.
They can do this because of two front and two back toes (zygodactyl toes). This clever foot formation,
which can look like an X or a K, allows birds to grip things more efficiently. Add the fact that the tongues of woodpeckers
can extend as much as 2 inches past the tips of their bills, and they like sweet things, such as fruit.
Conclusion: this feeder is as much a woodpecker feeder as a hummingbird feeder.
— kenne
Gila Woodpecker On A Saguaro — Image by kenne
Gila Woodpecker — Images by kenne
Gila Woodpeckers Frequently Visit Our Patio (July 10, 2022) — Images by kenne
Having Water and Food Available Daily Attracts Many Birds
“Gila Woodpeckers are grayish brown birds with brilliant black-and-white barring on the wings, back, and tail.
In flight, the outer wings are black with a crescent-shaped white patch at the base of the primary feathers.
Males have a red patch in the center of the crown.” –– Source: allaboutbirds.org
Dead Gila Woodpecker — Image by kenne
— kenne
Gila Woodpecker — Image by kenne
— kenne
Gila Woodpecker — Images by kenne
