American Three-toed Woodpecker

This nonmigratory American Three-toed Woodpecker will be one of the bird species spotted during the 2021 Christmas Bird Count. Yes!! On Saturday, December 18 the famous Bow Valley Christmas Bird Count will be taking place in and around the towns of Banff and Canmore. Pop over to the Bow Valley Naturalists site https://bowvalleynaturalists.org/event/2021-bow-valley-christmas-bird-count/ to learn how you can participate. And if you live elsewhere, not to worry. The first count started in 1900, today over 2000 take place throughout the Western Hemisphere between December 14 and January 5. If you reside in my favorite country, you can pop over to Birds Canada website  https://www.birdscanada.org/bird-science/christmas-bird-count/ , to find a count  near you.

Due to COVID-19, certain social aspects of the day will not be taking place again this year. The pot luck dinner and the ever so popular demonstrations of how adult birds feed their offspring. Always a challenge getting volunteers playing the offspring role. I guess next time we’ll have to use regurgitated chocolate instead.

Three-toed Woodpecker

The Three-toed Woodpecker is the most often spotted woodpecker here in Banff National Park, found year around. Boreal forests and montane coniferous forests is their preferred habitat. Diet preference are insects, dominated by wood-boring beetle larvae, also happy to eat fruits and feed on tree sap. So the nest time you are in their habitat and hear a soft chipping sound, stop, locate the direction of the sound and step over to watch the woodpecker scale off flakes of bark to get at insects. 

Until next moment, 

Amar

Three-toed Woodpecker

The male Three-toed Woodpecker shoving food down the throat of a nestling. Its seem to be the only thing that gets the nestlings to stop the constant begging. If you happen to be in the area, the sound of the nestling will bring you right to the nest. Then find a spot as both parents bring back food.

Until next moment,

Amar

Three-toed Woodpecker

This There-toed Woodpecker was busy working on this dead tree looking for food. Chipping away at the outer bark, then grabbing the insects with its bill or using it sticky tongue to extract food from the holes in the tree.

Until next moment,

Amar