Woodpeckers are recognized for their distinct pecking behavior, a sound that echoes through forests and sometimes even suburban areas. This repetitive striking of their beaks against tree trunks serves multiple crucial functions for their survival. Understanding the different reasons behind their pecking reveals how these birds interact with their surroundings.
Seeking Sustenance
A primary reason woodpeckers peck trees is to locate and extract food. They find insects, particularly larvae and beetles, hidden beneath the bark or within the wood. Woodpeckers tap on trees, listening for insect movement or hollow spots indicating prey. Once a target is identified, they chisel into the wood, using their long, barbed tongues to retrieve the insects.
Certain species, known as sapsuckers, employ a different feeding strategy. These woodpeckers drill rows of small, shallow holes to access the tree sap that collects in these “wells.” This sugary liquid is a valuable food source, and sapsuckers return to these wells to lap up the sap. Insects attracted to the flowing sap also become an additional food source.
Building and Nesting
Pecking is fundamental for woodpeckers to create their homes. Most woodpecker species are cavity nesters, excavating their own cavities within trees for nesting and raising their young. These excavated cavities provide a secure place for eggs and a safe environment for chicks, protecting them from predators and harsh weather.
Beyond nesting, woodpeckers also create roosting sites. These cavities offer year-round shelter for individual birds to rest and sleep. Woodpeckers often select dead or decaying trees for excavation, as the softer wood makes the process easier.
Communicating Messages
Woodpeckers engage in “drumming,” rapidly striking their bills against resonant surfaces to produce loud, rhythmic sounds. This differs from pecking for food or shelter, as the primary goal is sound production, not creating holes. They often select hollow trees, branches, or human-made structures for their acoustic properties.
Drumming serves to establish and defend territory against rivals. It also attracts mates, particularly during the breeding season. Woodpeckers may learn these drumming rhythms, indicating a complex form of communication.
Preparing for Lean Times
Some woodpecker species use pecking for food storage, preparing for periods when food might be scarce. The acorn woodpecker is a notable example. These birds drill numerous small holes, often in a “granary tree” or other structures, to store acorns and other nuts.
These granary trees can accumulate thousands of acorns, serving as a vital food source, especially during winter months. Acorn woodpeckers tightly wedge nuts into these custom-sized holes, making it difficult for other animals to remove them. This communal storage and defense of their food reserves highlight a complex social strategy for survival.