[birding] Acorn Woodpeckers Silverton, Marion County

Thu Aug 27 08:50:05 PDT 2009

Hi Birders,

Yesterday (8/26) there were 6 ACORN WOODPECKERS in a European White Birch in my back yard. At least 3 of the ACORN WOODPECKERS were juveniles and there were possibly 4 juveniles.  The woodpeckers appeared to be drinking sap from some sap wells in the birch.  I have had an occasional ACORN WOODPECKER in the yard but never more than one so I was surprised to see 6.  I know of at lest 3 colonies within a couple of mile of my house but I have not seen more than 2 at any of these colonies.  I was wondering if ACORN WOODPECKERS will wander from there territories in search of food before the acorn crop ripens.  Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

On a side note I heard a EUROPEAN STARLING doing a perfect imitation of a Killdeer.  I've never heard a starling do such good mimicking.  

Matthew Schneider
Silverton, Oregon
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