Feeding a woodpecker

Shiney they eat caterpillars, grubs, insects will eat fruit they are actualy partial to a bit of cheese.To save you hunting round for the above try maggots the fishermen use and mealworms obtainable from pet shops.

 

Shiney,according to my Bird books they tend to eat a diet of ants,but it might be worth a try with the mealworms.Looking at the photo's it doesn't look very happy with it's eyes half closed.

If you can get it out of the tree and into a carboard box then it will stop the cats getting to it.

If you ring the RSPB on 01767-693690 which is their Wildlife Information number they may be able to advise you.Let us know how it goes.

Good Luck

 

I saw this in the garden a couple of weeks ago - was about the size of a small pigeon, and brown all over (though at the time I thought it more colourful, peachy or even pink on the breast). Damn thing flew into the pear tree before I could get a decent photo, then flew off before I could get upstairs for the better camera.

It's beak was confusing me, looked like a kookaburra beak rather than woodpecker, but looking at the Woodpecker in Shiney's picture the beaks are similar and otherwise they're alike too except for colour. What do you think?

 

Like Kandy said, get in touch with the RSPB for specialist advice. I worked at a hotel where two woodpeckers visited and they loved the fatballs I put up for them.

High energy plus they can be hung in the tree where he is safe.

TO

 

I too would advise contact the RSPB before you do anthing more - or your local wildlife rescue place. From the look of it, and from the fact that whilst it could fly it allowed handling I don't think its very well. However if it was calling, then the parents should continue to feed it - even if one parent is dead. So don't remove it from the tree - the parents won't be able to find it if you do.

There is a fact sheet on young birds on the RSPB web site, and they are quite quick to answer e-mails if the phones are busy.

I hope the little one survives - woodpeckers are lovely birds.

 

Looks like that could be a Jay Oogieb.

 

Shiney,

Let us know how you get on, I for one would love to hear a happy ending.

At the hotel I mentioned I used to put various foods in a tree for all the birds and was delighted to see a male great spotted going mad with the fatball! He would hang underneath it and peck away. After a month he was joined by a female and that day my boss and I stood outside filming them. On film we have a sparrowhawk going straight for the female. Happened in a flash, we didn't see the hawk coming and altough it wasn't successful the woodpeckers sadly didn't visit us again.

TO

 

They love black sunflower seed's and you
can cut a orange in half for it and apple
I have a woodpecker that come's here he eat's seed's

 

More bird's

 

Great shots Betty.

 

Wonderful shots Betty and I see that you have a Red Cardinal too, I think they are so beautiful.

Shiney, I hope your baby woodpecker is still doing fine?

Oogie, I think walnut is right. We have jays here and the size, colour and beak look the same. They are very shy and it is difficult to get a good shot of one.

 

Betty,

That first photo of yours! I could certainly unwind in that spot with a glass of wine, that view and those visitors!

TO