Towards winter many individuals migrate southward, and spend their time in the immediate neighbourhood of the planter's dwelling. The bird is by no means shy or suspicious, and scarcely pays any attention to man, even when standing close to the tree on which it is at work. The flight of the Downy Woodpecker, like that of the other species, is performed by glidings and undulations, between each of which it utters a single click note and, although usually short, is capable, on occasion, of being protracted. querulus, is cylindrical or vermiform, while the extremity, or tongue itself, is linear, flat above, convex beneath, with projecting edges which are serrated backwards, the tip pointed. The extensile portion of the tongue of this species, as well as of Picus varius, P. Their food, during summer, consists of insects and their larvae but, at the approach of autumn, they feed on fruits of various kinds, especially small grapes, and the berries of the poke-weed. Their shrill rolling notes are heard at a considerable distance, as well as those which they use when calling to each other. The young follow their parents through the woods, in company with Nuthatches and Creepers, and seem at all times lively and happy. In the Southern and Middle States, two broods are raised in the season farther north seldom more than one. The eggs, commonly six in number, pure white, and translucent, are deposited on the bare wood. The hole is rendered smooth and conveniently large throughout, the entrance being perfectly round, and just large enough to admit one bird at a time. The direction is sometimes perpendicularly downwards from the commencement, sometimes transverse to the tree for four or five inches, and then longitudinal. The pair work together for several days before the hole is completed, sometimes perhaps a whole week, as they dig it to the depth of a foot or sixteen inches. It seems, in fact, to accommodate itself to circumstances, and to live contented anywhere.Ībout the middle of April it begins to form its nest, shewing little care as to the kind of tree it selects for the purpose, although it generally chooses a sound one, sometimes, however, taking one that is partially decayed. I have found it pretty generally distributed from the lower parts of Louisiana to Labrador, and as far to the westward as I have travelled. In winter it frequently visits the wood-pile of the farmer, close to his house, or resorts to his corn-crib, where, however, it does little damage. This species is met with, during summer, in the depth of the forest, as well as in the orchard or the garden. Few of the farmers, however, agree with me in this respect but those who have had experience in the growing of fruit-trees, and have attended to the effects produced by the boring of this Woodpecker, will testify to the accuracy of my statement. It perforates the bark of trees with uncommon regularity and care and, in my opinion, greatly assists their growth and health, and renders them also more productive. If you watch its motions while in the woods, the orchard, or the garden, you will find it ever at work. The tails of all woodpeckers are stiffened, and when the bird perches on a vertical surface, the tail and feet work together to support it.The Downy Woodpecker, which is best known in all parts of the United States by the name of Sapsucker, is perhaps not surpassed by any of its tribe in hardiness, industry, or vivacity.Individual woodpeckers are thought to be able to distinguish the drumming of their mates and even that of their neighbors. The drumming also serves for mutual recognition between the birds and plays a part in courtship rituals. The drumming is mainly a territorial call and males drum more frequently than females. Drumming is a form of non-vocal communication used by most species of woodpecker and involves the bill being repeatedly struck on a hard surface with great rapidity.It takes about 1 to 3 weeks for Downy woodpeckers to excavate a nest cavity before laying eggs.While on trees Downy woodpeckers move horizontally and downwards, however, they may occasionally feed on the ground where they move by hopping.Downy woodpeckers have special feathers around their nostrils these feathers keep the birds from breathing in wood chips.
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