North American Woodpeckers (1 Viewer)

I was looking for information regarding the feeding habits of Woodpeckers in the US and Canada - in particular how they compare to European species. I'd imagined they behave similarly but on one point I couldn't find records to support my assumption. My question to be specific and to cut a long post short.... Do any species sometimes prey on other bird's chicks in the same way the European Greater Spotted Woodpecker does?

Doesn't help with the prime question, but worth noting a nice example of convergent evolution between Northern Flicker (N America) and Green Woodpecker (Europe): both are ground-feeding, ant-eating specialists. This despite their not being each others' closest relatives within the family.

The Flicker really is very much like the green woodpecker like you say. I wonder if some North American woodpeckers show similar evolutionary characteristics... Specifically around diet and feeding. I'm not sure how recent recording of their behaviour eating chicks actually is in the first instance...

Yes, at least some species of North American woodpeckers will raid nests and eat the contents. Two quick examples:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/scie...eat-your-brains-if-youre-baby-dove-180961656/
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-headed_Woodpecker/lifehistory

Woodpeckers are all (at least partly) carnivorous, and they're singularly well-adapted for raiding cavity nests. It would be shocking if they never did so: it's extremely rare for animals to pass up easily-available protein.

Note that nest-raiding is not always easy; a defending parent on the nest can put up a fight. Here's a vivid, long description of woodpeckers having the tables turned: https://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=445

Thanks nartreb, some great stuff there. Nice to have more knowledge :t:

Also, I see you have lots of great photography at your website. I wonder what camera(s) you use?