Woodpeckers are a delightful family of birds (Picidae) most often found clinging to tree trunks and branches while using their stiff tails to aid in hitching up and around the tree. They forage with long, stout bills by probing tree bark in search of wood-boring beetles, ants, caterpillars, spiders, and larvae. As omnivores, you’ll also see woodpeckers eating fruits, seeds, nuts, acorns, and catkins. Woodpeckers use their powerful bills to communicate by drumming on resonate surfaces and to excavate their nest cavities. Continue reading “Woodpeckers of the Bay Area”
Some Birds from San Luis Obispo County
We recently visited San Luis Obispo and had the opportunity to do some birding. Our hotel was directly beside the bird-rich Laguna Lake, so we didn’t have to go far for birds. Moreover, for an auspicious start to our first morning, this gorgeous Red-tailed Hawk greeted us from the hotel parking lot!
Big Island Birding Part 3 – Hawaiian Endemics & Other Fun Stuff
Here’s Part 3 of our Big Island Birding series — we saved the best for last! In this post, we’ll explore the remainder of the birds we enjoyed in Hawai‘i over New Year’s 2023, including several endemics and other fun encounters. Continue reading “Big Island Birding Part 3 – Hawaiian Endemics & Other Fun Stuff”
Sonoma County Birding: Gualala Point
Back in October, we camped a night at Gualala Point Regional Park, and enjoyed sharing the great outdoors with a host of birds, bugs, butterflies, and critters. Continue reading “Sonoma County Birding: Gualala Point”
A Day at Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve (Los Angeles County)
Last month, we found ourselves in Los Angeles County with a day to spare for birding. Why were we in LA County, you might ask? Continue reading “A Day at Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve (Los Angeles County)”
Youngsters on the Deck
Each summer around our house, we enjoy watching youngsters take a first crack at learning how to bird — how to be a bird, that is! There’s typically a phase where a juvenile bird pecks and pokes at everything in its reach — “Is this food? No… OK, is this food? No… What about this, is this food? No…” Continue reading “Youngsters on the Deck”