Yesterday was *magical*.
Ever since my bf recorded a video on his phone of Woody the pileated pecker and his beautiful wife, I have wanted to see her for myself so badly. So I set my alarm everyday and get up at 5:30, since that's around the time he comes around to our property. Weeks have passed since then, and here I sit... listening, watching.
Yesterday, I finally heard a *powerful* drumming close by. I excitedly slipped on my shoes and ran out the door (still in my pajamas, lol) and followed the sound a couple houses down. In my mind, there is no other bird that can make a sound so big and loud, with the exception of Woody (or his wife, Woodina!) I looked and looked. No woody, but the sound was RIGHT THERE next to me. How do you miss an 18 inch bird that sounds like he's right in front of you??
Because it WASN'T an 18 inch bird! There was a little brown bird, maybe 3-4 inches, with spots! Suddenly, Chucky the RBWO appears out of nowhere, and he's flapping and squawking around this little brown bird as if to scold him!! "What are you doing out of the nest, little one? You better march yourself right back into that hole, or else no breakfast for you!" says Chucky (I'm assuming). Defiantly, little Chucky Jr flies to a neighboring tree, and a small chase began. Eventually, Chucky flies off in the direction of my house to get the naughty little baby some food.
I rarely see Chucky's bride, Tiffany, so I assumed she was sitting on some eggs this entire time. Obviously not, since this definitely wasn't an egg! There are babies! :-O I hope there are more that survived, since I know they lay several eggs. I can't wait for Chucky jr to come visit our feeders with his parents! I was actually able to snap a few photos of little baby RBWO, but as he was extremely high up in the tree and I didn't want to get any closer and scare them, they aren't the best photos. You can definitely tell what it is in the shot though, so that's all that matters to me. ||
Ever since my bf recorded a video on his phone of Woody the pileated pecker and his beautiful wife, I have wanted to see her for myself so badly. So I set my alarm everyday and get up at 5:30, since that's around the time he comes around to our property. Weeks have passed since then, and here I sit... listening, watching.
Yesterday, I finally heard a *powerful* drumming close by. I excitedly slipped on my shoes and ran out the door (still in my pajamas, lol) and followed the sound a couple houses down. In my mind, there is no other bird that can make a sound so big and loud, with the exception of Woody (or his wife, Woodina!) I looked and looked. No woody, but the sound was RIGHT THERE next to me. How do you miss an 18 inch bird that sounds like he's right in front of you??
Because it WASN'T an 18 inch bird! There was a little brown bird, maybe 3-4 inches, with spots! Suddenly, Chucky the RBWO appears out of nowhere, and he's flapping and squawking around this little brown bird as if to scold him!! "What are you doing out of the nest, little one? You better march yourself right back into that hole, or else no breakfast for you!" says Chucky (I'm assuming). Defiantly, little Chucky Jr flies to a neighboring tree, and a small chase began. Eventually, Chucky flies off in the direction of my house to get the naughty little baby some food.
I rarely see Chucky's bride, Tiffany, so I assumed she was sitting on some eggs this entire time. Obviously not, since this definitely wasn't an egg! There are babies! :-O I hope there are more that survived, since I know they lay several eggs. I can't wait for Chucky jr to come visit our feeders with his parents! I was actually able to snap a few photos of little baby RBWO, but as he was extremely high up in the tree and I didn't want to get any closer and scare them, they aren't the best photos. You can definitely tell what it is in the shot though, so that's all that matters to me. ||