Pecking Around (Woodpecker Style)

Acorn Woodpecker

Somedays, you just have to go with the flow.  Whatever Mother Nature presents; she presents....sometimes in abundance.  Today it was the entire Woodpecker population.....so I went with it.  There are many more out there, but here are the 3 common ones you'll find around Tucson, Madera Canyon, and Southern Arizona.

Arizona Woodpecker

Each one has unique markings. The Arizona Woodpecker was found off on the trails around Madera Canyon.  They worked in pairs of two and generally had a group of them in the same area on different trees. They tended to be more "shy".

The Acorn Woodpecker(above) was more "aggressive" and "independent".  I would usually see just one here and there.....but they were also everywhere and could be pushy sometimes with other birds:)

Look closely at the pic and you'll see two of them on the tree.  All woodpeckers like to listen to the tree and that's fun to watch.

I silently walk the trail and hear the "tap tap"....

I think it's a woodpecker but a party of Jays fly outta nowhere.  One leads the way and watches guard as the others settle into their areas.

I home in on the "tap tap" and find this Arizona Woodpecker(above) on the Arizona Madrone.

But that doesn't stop others from going onto the other various trees around the Madera Canyon area.

I listen and listen.  I hear a rustling in the leaves.  Is it another bird?  A new one I have not discovered?

No.  Just one of the many squirrels looking for food on the ground or in the trees.

The entire day I hike and all I see are woodpeckers......

.....eventually I leave the park after a nice 2 hour hike.

Gila Woodpecker

I arrive home and hear a "tap tap" on my Oak Tree.  I begin to laugh because I get the message.  Today was meant to be about Woodpeckers.  I just hadn't planned on it being about Woodpeckers.

I think this particular Gila Woodpecker has my favorite markings of the 3 woodpeckers presented today.  They're all very cool to watch and have around.  They aren't like the Green ones I've seen elsewhere but they are all fascinating.  What's your favorite of the 3 presented?  Acorn?  Arizona? or Gila?

Gila Woodpecker

And here is yet another common Woodpecker in Southern Arizona....the Ladderback Woodpecker!

So I lied...that's 4!  More tomorrow...:)