Woodpecker listening?

[justjoem]

This woodpecker seems to be listening for something under the tree bark. Do they do that? Hard to believe anything is moving beneath the bark in the freezing weather we are having here. Shot at dusk, handheld with Rebel XTi, 70-200 with 2xTC @ 400mm f/8, ISO 400, 1/160sec

http://justjoem.smugmug.com/photos/128697644-L.jpg

http://justjoem.smugmug.com/photos/128697660-L.jpg

[davewalters]

Hi - yes they do listen for movement and then drill accordingly. Nice images.

[canonloader]

Yup, they do listen, although after all the hammering, what could they hear? I've got a pic of a Downy listening to a peanut. :D

[Mr. E]

Nice shots, I love the first one- and I learned something new- woodpeckers listen for their food! Is it a female downy?

[canonloader]

Thats a female. The male looks just like it, but with a red 'chevron' at the back of the head. They all seem to be quite tame and unafraid of people.

[justjoem]

Nice shots, I love the first one- and I learned something new- woodpeckers listen for their food! Is it a female downy?
I believe it is a female Downy. A pair of them stay in the yard coming to the bird feeders with a large mixed flock of birds that over winter here. Here is a picture of the male Downy and of a Chickadee taken about the same time.

http://justjoem.smugmug.com/photos/128691222-L.jpg

http://justjoem.smugmug.com/photos/128691183-L.jpg

Thanks all for the replies!

[dale65bama]

Nice shots. Yes, the woodpeckers listen for the bugs munching wood. Even if it is quite cold, the sun-side of a tree may be plenty warm enough for insects (mostly beetles and their grubs) to be at work in the wood or under the bark.