H. Woodpecker -family update

[deb&tony]

In answer to my question regarding whether a single parent hairy woodpecker would continue to feed its young after its mate disappears ---is yes!!! The female hairy is feeding all 3 boys on her own, with regular visits for suet and nuts. Often the kids hang around the feeder in hopes mom will come by and feed them. Lately the eldest has begun feeding himself suet as the landing is pretty easy on our wide windowsill as opposed to the suet cage and peanut feeder in the backyard. So far the windowsill suet and nuts are only visited by a few year-round residents who know we place it there at this time of the year.

Unfortunately one of the boys was killed today. We came across feathers that were obviously a result of an impact blow and we just now found the little guy's body about 30 m from the initial attack. Oddly enough, his chest feathers were plucked and that's all. The rest of his body is intact with no signs that he had been fed upon.

p.s. Fraser R. level has just surpassed the 2002 high water mark here in Hope.

[fouram]

Hi, Deb--glad for the observations--wonder what happened to Dad?--Seems as if no matter how we feel and the strict enjoyment that we take with regards to the "Feeder" we have to accept the inevitable. I wonder who the culprit was?--relating to the demise of one of the woodpeckers??--perhaps his hatching was --strictly speaking--an "insurance" plan for the species?--one can only wonder--thanks again for the observations---Al