7 Fascinating & Unusual Woodpeckers of North America

[@FlyToBeach]

Your videos are amazing! I suffer from anxiety and depression, your videos are very calming and soothing to me. Plus, they are educational and I love that! Thank you for posting about woodpecker‘s, I was thinking about them today and was wondering more about them. Thank you for all you do! I really appreciate it!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Aww you are so very welcome. I'm really happy that these little videos help ease your suffering. I'm so glad this video was timely for you. Awesome! Take care of yourself. Much love!

[@jiveturkey9993]

Do you watch Messi the Puma? Hard to be down while watching that gigantic house cat.

[@Danika_Nadzan]

Another great channel for delightful, happy videos is Doggy Daycare Farm Trips...such a loving family with an amazing farm in Australia with lots of cool activities just for making dog happy. They also rescue and rehabilitate last chance shelter dogs.

[@anwardali7812]

ড় রয় রর টয়য় র র ররর ড় র র্ড়ড়যড়

[@anwardali7812]

@@Danika_Nadzan রড়রঠরড়ড় র রর রড়ররদরররূরড়রয়

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

I had a cold during the recording of this video, my apologies for that but the show must go on! If you liked the video the best way to support the channel is by SHARING it with other fellow birders. For anyone interested in official LesleytheBirdNerd merchandise www.lesleythebirdnerd.com/ I appreciate each and every one of your support and I hope you enjoyed the show!

[@keyinadreese7536]

Hi I just shared your channel with my sister she loves birder 🦅 too thank you 😎

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

@@keyinadreese7536 Hey thank you so much. :)

[@keyinadreese7536]

@@LesleytheBirdNerd you’re welcome 😎

[@mister62085]

Woody

[@angellas.1314]

I was going to ask about your lovely voice. It does sound like you weren’t yourself. I saw just a few meters away and took video of a Red headed piliated woodpecker. They are fairly large. It was pecking at the base of an old tree trunk. Such an amazing sight! Hope you feel better soon!

[@affinityforanime]

I would definitely have to say that woodpeckers are my favorite variety of songbirds. They always seem to have so much personality. It's never a dull moment watching their behavior.

[@kerrygrim7934]

Woodpecks are my favorite group of birds. YB Sapsuckers are a favorite. Here (90 miles north of Philadelphia) we see them only in winter as forests are hardwood. Favorite is Acorn Woodpecker. They are just stunning. I had just one trip to New Mexico. One evening I took a walk on a road in the Gila National Forest and saw close to 20. Families just hang out on trees and make goofy calls. Gotta’ love them! I am a guy birder for well over 40 years and continue to share links to your videos. Too many birders are listers and don’t take the time to appreciate the common birds like Blue Jays, so it is great to see your videos.

[@scottyg.4199]

I loved this video, thanks. When we first moved to Beaumont in East Texas, I looked, but couldn't ever see the Pileated or Red Head that lived here. After hearing an audio of their calls and looking for them when I heard their call, I started seeing them and learning their habits. Now I see them all the time. I was raised on a farm and the Pileated sounds like a hen cackling. Their nick name around here is Indian Hen.

[@ericallen2620]

Really enjoy your time and knowledge help with learning birds

[@All7Miles]

In the 40 years of living in Central Alaska I’ve not heard woodpeckers. However due to climate change, woodpeckers have been heard pecking during days of early spring since 2020; though not yet seen I assume they are preparing openings in birch tree bark to exploit later when sap begins to flow. Thanks for your comprehensive presentations.

[@PoM-MoM]

Interesting. They're moving N but so far North is even more odd. Can't blame them though.😊

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Interesting observations. Thanks for sharing.

[@micahbirdlover8152]

@@LesleytheBirdNerd I saw my first chickadee ☺️ thank you Lesley for telling the difference now I can tell

[@suntemple3121]

Beautiful Bird's. 🌟🌍🌟

[@RachaelDeBruin]

I saw my first Black Backed Woodpecker for the first time in Algonquin Park a couple of years ago. I love woodpeckers!

[@RachaelDeBruin]

I've also heard the red headed a number of times but never seen...yet!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Aren't they awesome?! The color of their feathers is just beautiful. I love them

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Lucky! I would love to see those woodpeckers :)

[@michaelt.peterson72]

Loved it all and look forward to more on woodpeckers, of special interest to me is the red-bellied sapsucker. Thank you so much!

[@dyrldouglas2087]

Since retirement, I've become somewhat of a bird watcher, I ENJOY your videos. Kudos!!!!!

[@MrTmiket0007]

I love all your videos and awesome content, thanks for sharing 🤗🙏

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Hey, thanks a lot. I'm glad that you enjoyed the video. :)

[@bird.passion]

Great video! The Acorn Woodpecker has interesting calls. I love hearing their "waka waka" call but they have another call that sounds similar to Woody Woodpecker, the cartoon character. It’s been reported that Woody Woodpecker was inspired by a noisy Acorn Woodpecker that disrupted animator Walter Lantz's honeymoon by persistently calling and drumming on the couple's cabin. Lantz's wife Gracie suggested that Walter make a cartoon character of the bird - and so Woody was created.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Hahah what characters! I'd love to hear that. I didn't know that they inspired Walt to create that woody woodpecker character

[@BirdsandGhibliFan]

Wow! 😲 I thought the Pileated Woodpecker inspired the creation of Woody Woodpecker. Interesting that it was actually another species of Woodpecker. 🤔😄

[@bird.passion]

@@BirdsandGhibliFan Yes it surprised me too because Woody looks more like a Pileated Woodpecker. I wonder if Woody is actually a combination of both species, with the Acorn Woodpecker's voice and Pileated Woodpecker's appearance. 😀

[@rogerrynearson2500]

I would like to see you in the picture more often with the birds flying to your hand to feed. Love what you do, great videos.

[@Terri_Stauffer]

What cool woodpeckers. Loved learning about them. I have red bellied, downy, and pileated woodpeckers. I love watching pileated pecking at trees and seeing the wood chips fall. I tell them the chickadees will love the cavities they are creating.

[@dylankopff1935]

Personal favorite.. pileated of course..

[@thebackyardbugs]

I saw a Pileated woodpecker for the first time today and that was so cool!! That was the highlight of my day!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Too cool! I'd love to see one of them :)

[@BirdsandGhibliFan]

Awesome! 🤩 I hope I’m lucky enough to see a Pileated Woodpecker someday. So far, the biggest Woodpecker species that I have seen is a Red-Bellied Woodpecker or a Northern Flicker (not sure which one is bigger). 🤔

[@thebackyardbugs]

@@BirdsandGhibliFan I think the flicker is bigger than the red bellied

[@tymesho]

@@thebackyardbugs nonono.

[@suzanmiller558]

I have two, male and female, that hang out at my bird feeder daily.

[@dkroberts1163]

I have a colony of red-cockaded woodpeckers just a few miles away from me, but unfortunately I’ve yet to see one. The area is well protected by the local forestry service, especially during breeding and nesting. One of these days I will!

[@paulbrown1585]

If you have not seen one, how do you know this ?

[@connieh.4689]

Sorry you've seen any, but happy they are protected❣

[@starrycrown]

You are a gifted teacher, Leslie!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Thank you very much, that's kind of you :)

[@redpandaerin]

During college, I had the privilege of going with a biologist to check traps for red cockaded woodpeckers. My class got to see the habitat they live in, try climbing a tree with a tree ladder and waist belt to look at a nest cavity, and see a bird close up when we checked a trap. It was an already banded bird so the researcher collected some data and I got to release it afterwards. Such a cool experience.

[@gary19531953]

Your videos fly by... they're so interesting

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Wonderful, so glad that they go at a good pace :)

[@ryancreson7115]

Woodpeckers are one of my favorite birds. I had never heard of some of these birds in the video. Very informative thanks for sharing. My favorites that i get in my area are Pileated and downey

[@tymesho]

As a very young bird lover crossing the Mackinaw Bridge into the U.P. of Michigan, I was in awe of how quickly terrain can change. As we traversed the interior of the peninsula west, I saw close up, maybe 10' away, a creature looping low from tree to tree causing havoc to the bases of a cedar grove. Ripping bark and tearing the insides of each tree looking for insects. It had the veracity of a pit bull and the size of a hawk. This bird, to this day, is my absolute favorite. Most think of birds being sweet and innocuous. Trust, birds are ALL formidable 'warriors' in their own way, from the songbirds to the scavengers, to birds of prey. Les, you know what I saw! (80) never give RED BULL to a Pileated woodpecker - KZbin

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Hahaha I enjoyed your telling of the experience you had. And that KZbin video is awesome!

[@locksbog4270]

Hi Nerd how are you? I’ve been meaning to tell you about the red bellied wood pecker that befriended me,he’s a character for sure.I don’t dare go outside without a peanut in my pocket as he will hunt me down for one lol!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Aww no way! Good for you. What a fun character to connect with. Too funny about you not being able to go outside without a peanut in your pocket now, I love it and I know the feeling all too well. I cannot go outside without peanuts anymore. The jays will scold me and the ones who know me really well will actually dive at my pockets and poke their head in. Such characters, Have fun with that guy. Are you going to name him?

[@locksbog4270]

Kramer is his name, as he skids across the table to the bowl for a peanut. Are you familiar with the sitcom Seinfeld?

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Omg Am I ever. I love that show! Kramer is a perfect name for your woodpecker buddy. Lol.

[@Terri_Stauffer]

@@locksbog4270 I have a male and female red bellied that if I go outside and don’t put peanuts out for them that squawk at me from tree. I put peanut down and as soon as my back turned one will fly down and take. They are such characters.

[@micahbirdlover8152]

@@LesleytheBirdNerd why is called Lew's woodpecker 🤔

[@ferrisb1588]

Great video Lesley :) I saw my first Yellow-bellied Sapsucker this year in April; such a beautiful bird! I felt blessed to have seen both the female and male! Very cool that they are migratory!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Oh wow how lucky. I'm still waiting for my first sighting. They come here to breed in summer but I've yet to be lucky enough to spot one.

[@generaljj577]

Another great vid Lesley. Here in Mead Wa. I had some Northern Flickers in early spring hanging out with the Black Cappped Chickadees.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Thank you so much. Too awesome about the Northern Flickers. I love those guys and saw one earlier today. Very beautiful looking and chickadees are just down right cute all the time :)

[@dsc4178]

Woodpeckers are such wonderful birds! Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker is my favourite of the ones you've shown, easily as good as Hairy and Downy. Then the Black-Backed, and they are the only 2 of these 7 I've seen, but all are great birds.

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

Thanks for the opportunity to contribute to this video. I did not know that Gila Woodpeckers are considered under potential threat. They are very common in and near Scottsdale, AZ where I shoot the footage you included. Redheads and Sapsuckers are rare in New York, but I've been fortunate to see a few. I haven't gotten a decent photo of either yet in NY; but redheads are fairly plentiful in the Myrtle Beach, SC area.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

You are very welcome, John it was a pleasure working with you. Your videos and photos are lovely! Thank you so much! I hope you get the good pictures you'd like to get of the Red-headed and Sapsucker :) Best of luck

[@DEPTRON7]

Well done Leslie, I have always had a fascination with Red Headed Woodpeckers. But had seen very few in my life. Steven about twenty years ago and after I had moved to my current location I was lucky enough to spot a pair. Having been a bird feeder most of my life I became curious if I could attract them to my feeders that I had typicly taken down around the second week in May, just missing the arrival of the Red Heads. And much to my delight I started getting them to visit the suet feeders and now I have at least two pair that are regular visitors. There seems to be somewhat of a resurgence of them in my area of Somerset Co., PA this year as I have ruteinly spotted those striking colors fling around. I also have Red Bellied, Hairy, Downy and Pileated coming to my back porch for snacks. I also have Flickers that are common visitors in the yard but seldom come to the feeder. Thanks for your very informative videos.

[@ginafriend1690]

Very interesting, and look forward to more info on Woodpeckers. Thanks so much, Lesley!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@silkeden1]

I smile when I see a new uploaded video from ours truly-- the production and quality are inexhaustible and I'm fortunate to have a family of downys that live out back in the old Ash tree. Saw a baby recently and my heart swooned!

[@markheld995]

I have a lot of gila and flickers here in New River Az they really like the woodpecker suet and they drink from my hummingbird feeder.

[@russelder9743]

Lesley----wonderful stuff...I never knew about most of these...last week we had a Pileated that came to visit....off topic we had a few Black and White Warblers ....beautiful...look like miniature flying Zebras....your channel is wonderful...many thanks

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Aww too cool about the Pileated Woodpecker and I'm so glad that you saw the beautiful Black and White Warblers. They are so neat looking. :) Have a great Sunday

[@nickpaarlberg73]

Love your vids! Thanks for sharing about woodpeckers. Red headed’s are always a treat since they are so hard to find and only getting harder by the day. Would love to see the acorn woodpecker at some point as well. God truly is an amazing artist! Thanks for sharing His beauty with us. Blessings from Illinois. ❤️

[@atheistsince1210]

Blessings upon you Leslie recently at an interstate rest stop somewhere south of NY state I stopped in my tracks when I saw a healthy flock of six blue jays all at once there were dominant mature oak trees and a Red Headed woodpecker !!!! First one I ever saw I was afraid it would go unidentified but thanks to you I’m blessed . I recently moved houses and in one month I can only get sporatic visits from a male downy woodpecker at my old place I had the males and females and the flickers . Now I’m inundated with grackles . I have a patio over hang and house sparrows many families took up there I have ZERO insects thanks to them and am praying for chickadees there’s plenty of silver maples around I’ve just never heard any so far with me luck 🐥🐣😂

[@silkeden1]

Dear Leslie-- my heartwarming thanks for all the videos you have generated. I make no illusions about my gratefulness for them. Say, would you be inclined to make a video about mourning doves? Pigeons, broadly speaking? I often wonder how they are able to sustain themselves given the miniscule particles they grub on. They are skittish from my watchful eye and I'm very intrigued by them. Just a suggestion if you find yourself exhausting possibilities for videos. Much warmth and thanks, always, and cheers from Ohio!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Hey, thank you for the kind comment and suggestion. I would really love to do a video on Mourning Doves and pigeons too. I will definitely keep note of this idea. Thank you again. Cheers

[@travisbicklejr]

Great video as always! I think red-headed woodpeckers are gorgeous! You should look up pictures of the Cuba green woodpecker! They’re spectacular!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

I just did and wow

[@sharksport01]

The West Indian Woodpecker too.

[@desertfox3860]

Thanks for sharing!

[@richardmay1961]

Didn’t realize the Lewis’s woodpecker scores a 15 out of 20 on the scale of concern as they seem to be fairly common when we float the Bitterroot River during the summer. I know they migrate. Perhaps there wintering range is the problem, although I know riparian habitat is at risk in our state. Hate to see these birds disappear.

[@karenburton9983]

I live in Wilmington Ohio and the red headed wp is population is growing they ‘r being recorded more more and more My favorite for sure even had one come to lake and get suet and peanuts from a little feeding station I put up what a joy….love Ur videos Ur stories of the nut hatches and chickadees are adorable….Have a awesome summer take care

[@konavader]

Aloha Ms Lesley, Beautiful video of one of my favorite birds to view when I’m camping. I do have a unrelated question about a crow I’m trying to help. I believe it is a female, I’ve been observing for 3 seasons now. It’s currently with a small group of yearlings and clearly the alpha bird of the group, but, it’s only got one leg. Yes I call her hoppy in honor of your hoppy. I worry about her all day especially now with the temperature reaching 100 at noon daily. My biggest question and concern is can she get water and bathe. I have a large fountain and I also leave a large pasta bowl of water in the grass so she could easily get to it, however I’ve never seen her using either one. She seems to like taller grass as it tends to help keep her balanced on the ground while looking for food. She is wild, and has survived 3 hard winters and two hard summers without my personal involvement I realize that, I would just like to help her continue to be a happy wild crow. If you could offer any tip for at least a water source that she would utilize I would be grateful. Good day Ms Lesley, aloha!

[@floydmorrison2025]

Awesome video! The nature preserve where I hike everyday has a few Pileated Woodpecker families. You constantly hear them. I inadvertently discovered one of their nest cavities a few months back. I was resting on a rock, deep in the woods, when I luckily happened to observe a huge Pileated Woodpecker glide across the woods in front of me...and right into a 6-8 inch hole, about 40-50 feet up an Oak tree directly in front of me. It was so cool! He didn't even stop or slow down before entering his cavity, just zoom zoom zoom right on into it. Needless to say, I now take all of my rests on that same rock, and see them come and go all the time. I haven't seen any tiny fledgling heads poking out yet, but my fingers are crossed 😀

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Oh my, how lucky! What a nice thing to get to witness. Haha! Too funny about you taking your breaks on that same rock now. I would do the same! I hope you get to see those fledglings. They are comical.

[@MHarenArt]

What a super video! You do such a great job with your compilations! Thank you!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

You are so kind, thank you :)

[@kodim420]

Always such great content! Next video- Wood Pewees pretty please? :)))

[@amywoodson1623]

I love woodpeckers. In our woodsy backyard we have seen the downy, hairy, yellow bellied sapsucker, red bellied, red headed, northern flicker and the pileated. I thought we had all the ones you could have in the US, but I guess not. It was great hearing about ones we don't get.

[@rvnmedic1968]

Excellent! I'd like to see you add the Pileated Woodpecker to your next Woody vid. We had a log home years ago and one day I heard what sounded like someone hammering on the side of the house. I went out slowly and crept around the corner and saw this giant bird hammering like mad. I was able to get as close as 5 feet before it nonchalantly flew over to some nearby trees. I learned later on it was "drumming" on the logs to mark its territory.

[@debbyfazfphotography]

I love your delightful videos and narrations, Lesley! 🥰 They are wonderful and informative! We had a pair of redheaded woodpeckers in our yard all summer. The male arrived first, on May 28. After being here for a while, he disappeared for a few days. I was so disappointed when he left. Suddenly, he reappeared with a mate! I was stunned on June 17th, when I witnessed them sailing through our backyard together and landing high up in the maple tree he'd been preparing and storing his cache in. I watched as she scoped it out, and then flew to a nearby stand of trees. He flew after her. They dickered and flew back and forth between the trees but eventually, she won. I named the pair, Lucy and Desi. He was considerably larger, which was how I could tell them apart. Like her famous namesake, Lucy loved attention and posing for pictures, but Desi was more aloof. They nested and produced one baby, that I saw. It followed Dad Desi to a feeder one day. It perched on a tree branch and watched him eat. It was partially concealed, but I saw its full brown head. Unfortunately, I did not I did not have my camera nearby, so I watched to see the baby emerge. When Desi flew back up to their tree, Little Ricky (or Lucy II) followed closely, matching Dad's every move. I was very sad not to have gotten any pictures of the young one because I only saw it once. I hope nothing got it because with our abundance of wildlife here, we also have an abundance of predators. 😢 I am hoping they will eventually return as they stored up a large food supply over the summer months when they were in residence.

[@connieh.4689]

Some of the species numbers are discerning...wasn't aware! Thank you ❤ I was a rehabber, and have raised many red-head woodpeckers, and a pleated... good memories ☺

[@johndavis128]

Woodpeckers are one of the birds That I could watch for hours. I remember seeing and photographing the red-headed woodpecker for the first time and it was incredible. Thank you for this video!!

[@redschafer7804]

the red headed woodpeckers are one of the reason i started bird watching. in my state they are considered a endangered and they do have a lot of competition from the pileated woodpeckers in my area. it's really funny to see both of then flying around due to the size difference

[@SuburbanDon]

Very good as always.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

thank you

[@andrewgaffney4881]

I had the pleasure of photograpghing a Red-headed Woodpecker, on Cape Cod this June. I also had a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker come to my garden fishpond in early spring. They are amazing creatures.

[@christinedehm7313]

Thank you for sharing this information, Lesley. It is hard to hear that so many of these beautiful birds are in trouble, but it’s necessary so that people understand. ❤️

[@69judge27]

I have red headheadeds show up at my feeders, along with many others. 😎🎸

[@cheaplaughkennedy2318]

Wife and I spotted a Red Headed Woodpecker today , beautiful bird . Enjoyed watching Leslie , thanks .👍👌

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

That's awesome! They are stunning

[@matthewhaverkamp8657]

I saw a Lewis's Woodpecker in Muskegon, Michigan a little while ago. 1st reccord in Michigan's lower Peninsula Absolutely spectacular bird!

[@LoriKnit]

We live in the woods in Danvers, IL. We have about 5-6 Red Headed Woodpeckers, 2 Pileated Woodpeckers, 2 Hairy Woodpeckers and several Downy Woodpeckers. We enjoy every single one. We also have, we think, 2 Red Bellied Woodpeckers. All throughout the year. Occasionally, we have a Flicker and a rarely a Yellow Bellied Sapsucker.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Wow! What an awesome assortment of woodpeckers.

[@bread9173]

I live in an area with Red-cockaded woodpeckers. I have seen maybe only about 12 in my lifetime. I have helped with banding babies once. I actually saw 4 of them foraging recently in a very remote longleaf pine forest near my house in south eastern NC. It was so cool to see them interact with other birds foraging together. These birds depend on longleaf pine stands but there are not many left as the forests are also shrinking.

[@michaeldeierhoi4096]

Thanks for posting this informative video on woodpeckers which are some of my favorite birds to observe.

[@maineiacts]

Dear Lesley, This was / IS a FANTASTIC mini doc!!! You do such detailed and entertaining educational montages!! I'm always learning something New!!! I am concerned for our fine feathered friends and do what I can based on my limited knowledge! But! Thanks to YOU, I can hope to understand more! I hope you might some day have time to create a info vid that might highlight the best , affordable every day regimen on feed, possible health issues to watch for/ avoid, etc.. There are not many ( that I am aware of) wildlife rescue folks in this part of Iowa. I should maybe look that up. Like for instance when there was a big concern Avian Flu that caught us by surprise, I never really saw anything in the news or locally about being aware and what to do.. Like, should we not feed our backyard birds not knowing how this flu, etc. hapoens, where it comes from ( other than migrating flocks.....etc, etc.. No-one really puts info or updates that I know of. Maybe Audubon Soc .in our western part of Iowa might have? Well anyhoo, sorry to ramble. Just don't have anyone interested or knowledgeable about birds that I can chat with right now. Thanks Again!! BTW I absolutely ADORE your LOGO!!! Well designed!!! Take Care and Warmest Regards!, Mindi 🐦🤗🙋🏻‍♀️

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Hi Mindi, thank you for the nice comment. I would like to do a video in the future like what you asked. I'd have to be very careful and certain of everything I talk about in a video like that though, so definitely some hefty research required. Thank you again. Have a great Sunday

[@leorapier9389]

I loved seeing red cockaded woodpeckers at the Fort Bragg military reservation. It is most endangered bird I have seen. Red headed woodpeckers are a treat also.

[@happybergner9832]

Thank you again, Leslie! P.S. have you watched the BBC Earth KZbin about the Lyrebird? VERRRY Kool bird!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

You're welcome :) I have seen that video of the Lyrebird. Very cool indeed :)

[@danven1256]

I live on the eastern edge of Sacramento valley. My property is covered with oak trees so there are a lot of Acorn Woodpeckers around my home. It's quite enjoyable to sit on my patio and listen to them up in the trees squawking at each other. I have a few of those community acorn trees on my property. They do get annoying at times when they start hammering on the side of my house.

[@laurapicht]

i live smack dab in the midwest, and just last weekend i notice a pair of RED head woodpeckers frequently stopping by my bird feeding area…i have suet and a couple hanging feeders …plus an open tray w/nuts out for the blue jays and i think that is what they’re after…we also see downy, flickers, red bellied, hairy, i just love to watch all the activities …oh i also have grape jelly 4 the oriels …so fun💕 blessings to all

[@elliottcoleman8225]

Love the mention of the Gila Woodpecker, the most common one where I live. I was both surprised, but also not surprised at their potential vulnerability. They are very numerous; you can see them in just about any place where saguaros are, urban or otherwise. However, their environment is quite niche. Saguaros are protected, but any amount of destruction is devastating, since it takes a saguaro around 70 years before they're big enough to grow their first arm. Most of the saguaros they nest in are around 80-200 years old. You can see why their nesting sites are critical to their conservation. But yeah, thanks for mentioning one of my favorite birds!

[@richardbondy9199]

Great knowledge of the woodpeckers, and your passion of ornithology...Thanks!

[@mikecroly4579]

Thank you LESLEY for sharing your wonderful ,informative and very enjoyable videos! I absolutely love them! Again, thank you so very much dear! (You are an angel! )

[@annemottola894]

My friend John and I found your video very interesting. We hope that the birds will stay safe and have plenty of places to live/nest. Thank you for sharing your video with us.

[@Jennifer-nz2ss]

Thank you so much for these videos!! They are all so beautiful 😍 and they teach my daughter and myself alot about birds!💜💜💜💜💜

[@birbluv9595]

Thank you, Lesley. These are wonderful woodpeckers - great descriptions, photos, and video clips! I feel lucky to have had a yellow-bellied sapsucker in my yard last year, migrating through! All these species of birds facing possible extinction due to human pressure is so sad, and I just saw a news piece about declining populations of reptiles due to human pressure (much of it agricultural) on their habitats. I get very depressed thinking about how birds are struggling to survive.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

It truly is sad the destruction we are doing to the wonderful habitats all these incredible creatures need in order to thrive. We have lost our way in regards to being connected with nature. I'm hopefully that enough people will realize the trouble we are doing and fix it. Thank you for the kind comment.

[@300tdavis]

I volunteer at a wildlife rehabber center. I learned how to rear some birds. I’ve also recently learned about the destruction we are doing to our bird population. We have a lot of woodpeckers. Do you know if different types can live together in the same territory? If so, which ones? I’m particularly concerned with redheaded and red bellied, although there are about 7 or more different ones. I’m in central Florida. Thank you for posting this video and creating awareness. All this information generates interest leading to more people doing something about it. Keep up the great work!!! Love all your videos.

[@micahbirdlover8152]

@@LesleytheBirdNerd you should do video of Lew's woodpecker ☝️

[@susana.954]

I'm glad you decided to spotlight woodpeckers. They are such fascinating birds, and it was such fun to learn more about them! I love the unusual pink and greenish plumage of the Lewis's Woodpecker, and I didn't know that some Woodpeckers are cooperative breeders. As always, it was a real pleasure to watch your presentation, Lesley! I hope you feel better very soon!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

I agree, woodpeckers are really awesome. In fact, it was a Hairy woodpecker that was my spark bird, leading me into birding. Some very interesting birds out there. Thanks for the good wishes. I do feel much better today than I have the last few weeks.

[@susana.954]

@@LesleytheBirdNerd What a wonderful spark bird! Hairy Woodpeckers are really neat birds to watch. We rarely get them in our neighborhood, but I did see one recently pecking at the neighbors' wooden swing set. It was a rare and special moment. I'm very happy you are feeling better! Take care of that beautiful voice of yours!

[@jeanbryant4180]

Thank you Lesley for such an informative video. I always learn so much from watching.

[@AlexandraStubbs]

Aww great video! It’s very rare since I have seen a Woodpeckers out in the wild. Love to see the all out in the wild, they are all so beautiful.

[@nathanwebb4836]

I heard and saw an ivory-billed woodpecker in the summer of 2018. I also enjoy seeing other types of woodpeckers.

[@poohbearpooh8758]

Thank you for the woodpecker video. I have a pair of woodpeckers that are raising young in my back yard. My husband and I thrilled about it. We have seen more woodpeckers of several types that at any other time. We often see the following woodpeckers in our backyard. Red bellied, downy ,hairy and about 2 x's a month we will get a visit from one of the biggest woodpeckers I've ever seen 😀 Thanks again Warm Regards.

[@tommyhunter1817]

No shortage of red headed’s in northeast Georgia. Love seeing them.

[@cattailer1077]

Hi Lesley,, I had a hard time listening to this particular vidoeo because of the issues with the population of these beauties being diminished by the practices of humans. I have switched to only organic products of any kind and am pretty much plant based diet. Hoping others too are changing their life styles to help our beautiful Earth mom! The price is to big to pay for not rethinking our choices. Thanks for the information you put out to the public, I know it's helping💖

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

I hear you! It is very sad what is going on. We all do need to start adopting better choices. 💖

[@mirrorblue100]

I had to take up my feeding station this summer as a red tailed hawk was preying on "my" birds. They are nested near by as I can hear the young call for food. Alas, I am reduced to watching bird videos for a while - so thanks for all you do.

[@jaylendusean6173]

i have been fascinated about birds since i was very young🦉🐦🦜🦅

[@BirdsandGhibliFan]

Alright! 😁 I made a lucky guess on the question/poll you posted in the community tab earlier today. Anyway, I loved learning about the Red-Headed Woodpecker (which I have only seen once here in NJ), and the Lewis’s Woodpecker, especially how they both hunt for insects like flycatchers. Speaking of NJ, there is a NJ specialty license plate that features an image of a Red-Headed Woodpecker with the words, “Conserve Wildlife” on the bottom. All this time, I thought all woodpeckers had that wavy, undulating flight, but there is at least one (in this case, the Lewis’s Woodpecker) that flies like a Crow. The pretty plumage colors and unconventional flight pattern of this species makes me want to see one someday. It’s too bad that this species, and several others, are endangered. 😔 Thanks for sharing, Lesley! 🙂🐦

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Awesome! :) I agree the Lewis's and Red-headed woodpeckers are really neat, and the plumage coloration of the Lewis's is just so odd but beautiful. It's even neater that they fly like a crow, rather than the typical adorable undulating flight most woodpeckers do. I like that specialty license plate. Definitely need to conserve wildlife. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you have a great weekend.🙂🐦

[@BirdsandGhibliFan]

@@LesleytheBirdNerd You’re welcome. ☺️ There is also another “Conserve Wildlife” specialty license plate in NJ, but with a Bald Eagle on it. 🦅 I’ve been debating with myself on which specialty license plate I should get once I have enough money. I think I should get the Red-Headed Woodpecker plate, as well as actively attempt to do my part in protecting these birds and other endangered woodpeckers. I hope you had a good weekend as well, Lesley! 🙂🐦 Also, I’m glad to hear that you’re recovering from that cold. ❤️‍🩹

[@birbluv9595]

I appreciate this informative video about these beautiful woodpeckers. I live in the southeastern US but have seen only downies and red-bellied in my yard, plus a rescued pileated in a cage at a bird presentation. I’ll check out the resources you list to see if there is anything I can do other than feed birds and keep native species in my yard. Thank you, Lesley!

[@boomerangtooth9729]

Love woodpeckers! They are such a interesting bird ! And your videos are always a joy to watch and informative ! I would love to see more videos about woodpeckers!

[@naturewithgabe]

Woodpeckers are the best. I loved this and even learned a bit!

[@theweirdgiraffe4323]

Fantastic job on the video. Covering 7 birds in one documentary is no easy task. Job well done. Brilliant of you to use submitted videos. Great collaboration. Make a video on the Painted Bunting! Beautiful bird

[@kimberlynewsom9876]

We had Lewis's Woodpeckers up here on our mountain for a while, but I haven't seen any in the last couple of years. Not sure if that's because of a decline or if they've just gone further up the mountain and aren't staying around the houses as much. I'll have to venture out and see if I can find any again. In addition to the Lewis's we also have both the Hairy and Downy woodpeckers, Flickers (one of my favorites), and last year I saw a Red-Naped Sapsucker pair for a few weeks enjoying our crabapple tree. Thank you for another great video.

[@jrcather5196]

I listened to the backyard and now have all the woodpeckers and most east coast birds

[@-BirdsRegion]

Люблю птиц с детства, занимаюсь птицами 🕊💯👍

[@daltoncook209]

There’s a forest nearby the Houston area that’s used as a breeding sanctuary for the cockaded. Saw a pair flying around and that’s how my birding started

[@dbeachmawmaw]

Loved the video! Sad to know some are in decline. I have a pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers on my property somewhere, I've yet to find their nest. These beauties visit my feeders every day to grab a few peanuts I put out for the Blue Jays and all the other birds . I hear them and see them every day, I'm determined to find the nest. I have several dead trees in the back of my property and I'm sure they are back there somewhere. Thank you for the video, very enjoyable and informative!! 🐦⚘

[@Gigimamapa5]

Thank you for this podcast. I just started taking nature walks and saw my 1st woodpecker, the red-bellied woodpecker. I’m located in the northeast.

[@celestinaanderson3979]

It's so sad to hear of declining numbers. These little birds are so amazing and funny. When I was a kid we lived in a house with a metal vent on the roof. We had a woodpecker friend who every morning, without fail..would drum his heart out on that thing! It made the most terrible noise as you can imagine. I highly suspect he just liked the noise he was making. 😂😂😂

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Oh my gosh what a rascal. 😂

[@jlr3636]

Thanks for the video. I live in the San Diego area, this year I was lucky to see a Lewis’s early in the season, might have been the first reported sighting of the year for this area, the park ranger questioned my sighting till I showed a photo, it was a first for me. Other woodpeckers in the area are, acorn, nuttals, and flickers.

[@stephanielambert3018]

Love your videos. It is so interesting to hear about the interaction between woodpeckers and hummingbirds. I have a lot of hummingbirds nesting here, plus woods that have a lot of woodpeckers (and woodpecker friendly habitat). I've been trying to understand better why the hummingbirds are concentrated here and what local relationships support it, and this gives me a new avenue to research.

[@joniangelsrreal6262]

👋 🇺🇸❤️🇨🇦 hello bird whisperer Happy to drop by… Sending love and light to all…🙏🏼

[@naturelle78]

I love the woodpecker family. The most common here in Quebec City in Canada are the Downy Woodpecker and Hairy Woodpecker. We see them and hear them everywhere. 😊

[@kevhead1525]

I'm fortunate to have downy, hairy and red bellied woodpeckers as daily backyard residents. They love the suet. In mid November, a northern flicker showed up and was very cool to see. Sadly, it was just passing thru during migration.

[@duanemattern8283]

Once again great video! Loved it! The little birdies love the attention and need it!!

[@kristeetrisler4942]

I am lucky enough to have two families of hairy and downy woodpeckers. In moving to a new village I was able to friend a few red bellied woodpeckers. What a treat

[@ericahenry3614]

I have a red cockaded wood pecker didn't know they were endangered wow I love my wood peckers ❤️

[@AlainDumasblogphoto]

Great as always! So differently informative and entertaining.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Hey thank you so much!