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IN THIS ISSUE:

• Extended Customer Service Hours
• New At The Nest
• Holiday Favorites
• Bird Profile: Woodpeckers
• The BestNest.com Giveaway Winner is ...
• Free Merchandise to be Awarded Every Issue

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The percussion section of the bird world will soon be playing their song. Woodpeckers have captivated us for years, but what makes Woodpeckers so special? Let�s take a look:

There are approximately 180 species of Woodpecker which dwells in almost every part of the world. Woodpeckers range in size from the tiny downy to the large pileated types, and are characterized by their long bills. Woodpeckers tend to habitate in wooded areas, and may be difficult to locate in highly populated areas.

Woodpeckers range drastically in their size, from approximately 6.5� for the downy to 17� long for the pileated variety. Most Woodpeckers feature a long, stout beak suited for drilling and chiseling, paired with a sticky or barbed tongue which aids in removing wood debris or finding insects. The skull and neck muscles are thickened to act as shock absorbers on their heads. Stiff tail feathers help a Woodpecker keep its balance during drilling, and some even have toes which act as anchors for drumming and pecking purposes. Plumage coloration ranges from brown and black to yellow dappled, and several Woodpeckers feature a red throat or crown.

Woodpeckers nest in cavities, but prefer ones they drilled themselves. They usually prefer dead trees, but have been known to drill roosting cavities in homes. A study by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology in 2002 revealed that woodpeckers have damaged some homes by drilling roosting holes in them, and they prefer homes sided with stained cedar or grooved plywood. One solution to woodpecker damage is putting up a woodpecker house, as many woodpeckers will use man-made housing. A Woodpecker�s nest is usually circular or rectangular-shaped, and is only slightly larger than the bird. They tend to use their nest for one season only, creating a new one annually. If you are using a man-made woodpecker house, be sure to clean out abandoned nests regularly to keep the house attractive to newcomers.

Burrowing insects such as carpenter and leafcutter bees form the majority of a Woodpecker�s diet, although some birds prefer to supplement the insect diet with wild fruit, sap, suet, or nuts. Most Woodpeckers do not migrate, but do tend to shift a bit in habitat due to food availability. In the fall and winter months, Woodpeckers can also be seen using hopper, tray, tube, and suet feeders when insects are scarce, but often prefer live food in the summer months.

If you are interested in attracting Woodpeckers to your bird sanctuary, we offer a large selection of bird feeders and seed, as well as informational books on birds and books specifically about woodpeckers at www.bestnest.com. If you would like more personal assistance, please email us at [email protected] or call 877-369-5446.

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