NATURE, HISTORY AND HORTICULTURE IN FAIRFAX COUNTY
VOLUME 7, NO. 3 SUMMER 2007
INSIDE: Nature and the Burke Lake Train page 6
Concert Drummers on Forest Trees By Carol Ochs, FCPA Volunteer Even if you can’t identify most birds by their calls, there’s no mistaking the rat-a-tat-tat of a woodpecker.
A
mong our common feathered friends in Fairfax County are woodpeckers, and many have been performing spectacular acoustic concerts the past few months.
Everyone knows that woodpeckers peck, but do you know why? “It’s purely advertising,” according to Charles Smith, a natural resource specialist for the Fairfax County Park Authority. He says the birds send messages such as, “I’m the best mate” or “This is my territory.” The rapid pecking is called drumming, and Smith says the birds are particular about their instrument. They seek out a nice, hard wood to get the best resonance and transmit their message the longest possible distance. THERE ARE FIVE SPECIES of woodpeckers seen regularly in Fairfax County. From smallest to largest, they are the downy woodpecker, the hairy woodpecker, the red-bellied woodpecker, the Northern (yellow-shafted) flicker and the pileated woodpecker. They range from about four inches to 12 inches in height while standing on a branch. Two other species can be seen in the area, but Smith says they’re a little tougher to spot. The yellow-bellied sapsucker is primarily a winter resident, migrating north to New England and Canada to breed. The red-headed woodpecker is a year-round resident, but is only found in isolated enclaves. According to Smith, “the red-headed woodpecker is probably the most striking and unusual of our woodpeckers in its vocalization and habits. The irony is that although it is not common, where it does occur it’s not shy.” Smith says there are regular reported sightings at Huntley Meadows Park, but the best place in the area to view them is at Sky Meadows State Park near Paris, Virginia. They’ve also been seen at Lake Fairfax. The red-bellied woodpecker is sometimes mistaken for the redheaded woodpecker because both have red on their heads. WOODPECKERS ARE EXPLORERS by nature and spend their days pecking at tree trunks in search of insect and insect larva. (The flicker is the only species that forages on the ground as well as in trees.)
Smith points out they are ideally designed for their work. Woodpeckers have: 䊳 long tongues with barbs for getting insects out of nooks and crannies 䊳 stiff tails that they use as props when they are pecking and digging Pileated woodpecker 䊳 strong neck muscles 䊳 brains that are apparently cushioned in a unique way to allow them to use their bill like a chisel and battering ram. They also usually have two toes in front and two in back — most other birds have three front and two back. This is an adaptation for clinging to the sides of trees and underneath branches. WOODPECKERS ARE CAVITY NESTERS who make their homes in the holes they chisel out of trees, and their work is important to many other woodland animals. Bluebirds, flying squirrels and mice are among those that commonly make their homes in cavities carved by woodpeckers. Homeowners may be less enthusiastic about the woodpecker’s abilities when it targets wood siding or trim. However, Smith says the woodpeckers “aren’t capable of evil intent.” In fact, he says woodpeckers tend to be “a symptom,” not the problem. If you have woodpeckers, chances are they’re just feasting on insects that have already invaded your woodwork. If you want to spot woodpeckers in your neighborhood or local park, don’t make the continued on page 8
WHAT’S INSIDE . . . Events ........................... 2 Park Foundation ............ 3 Retirements ................... 4 Partnerships .................. 5 Nature and the Burke Lake Railroad ....... 6 Caring for Family Treasures ....................... 8 Kids in the Garden ........ 9 Volunteers ................... 10 Dog Parks .................... 11
p Fairfax County Park Authority • Fairfax, VA 22035 • 703-324-8695 • FAX 703-324-3996 • TTY 703-803-3354 • www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/resources