On our morning walk around our neighborhood, Charlie and me see lots of birds: sparrow, blue jays, crows, chickadees, of course, a few hawks and even a robin or two. Canada geese, in season. But every once in a while we’ll see a Pileated Woodpecker. Not one of them little guys, but the Woody Woodpecker ones? That’s always a treat because they are spectacular looking. I mean, that red!
The Pileated is a big bird and, boy, it makes a racket hammering away. You think they’d be easy to see, but they’re not. Most of the time you hear them, but can’t find where they are. Charlie and me must look like idiots, stopped in the middle of the road, Scamp tugging at his leash, and the both of us staring up into the trees, squinty eyed, mouths open.
The easiest way to spot one of these magnificent creatures is to catch one flying, usually out of the corner of your eye. They just don’t look like any other bird. I found a picture of one on google image so you can see what I mean.
After our latest sighting, Charlie was so inspired, he wrote an ode to our neighborhood woodpecker. I think he did a bang up job!
Who’s That Bird Makin’ All That Racket?
Who’s that bird, makin’ all that racket?
Him up there with the black and white jacket
And the bright red cap, goin’ ki, ki, ki?
You think that fella is laughin’ at me?
He ain’t no crow with a crown like that
And though he looks like an aristocrat
He’s not the Chancellor of the Exchequer
That is a Pileated, Woodpecker!
Now, small woodpeckers come right to the house
To feed with the finches and the little Tit Mouse
And squirrels, of course, who I condemn
(I’d rather not waste another line on them)
The Pileated kind, they stay in the wood
Where the old trees rot and the drillin’ is good
No gas is needed, he’s a real low tech-er
Talkin’ ‘bout the Pileated, Woodpecker
Them little woodpeckers go tap, tap, tappin’
Not enough to wake you if you’re nappin’
Pileated fellas, makin’ all that clamor
Are just about as jarrin’ as a darn jack hammer
Birds who spend their winters up here
Are some impressive, boy, that’s clear
For anyone to make it through the colder half
It sure does help if you know how to laugh
That’s it for now. Catch you on the flip side!
IDA’S PODCAST: Woody Woodpecker
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