I have a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers that visit my yard multiple times per day. Shortly before each visit, from hundreds of yards away, my woodpecker friends announce their impending arrival. If you ever hear a Pileated, you will know what I mean. Their call is distinctive, and loud. Yesterday I was actually quite surprised as when my local lovebirds flew over, there was already another male Pileated working over a dead birch (unless they threaten your home, please do not take down dead trees). I had never seen three of these woodpeckers at the same time. It was obvious my locals knew about the third bird. The males perched in the dead birch within ten feet of one another, and I awaited an attack. Nothing happened.

I was wrong. Although Pileated Woodpeckers are very territorial, apparently in the winter the presence of a third bird in the territory will be tolerated (Source: Cornell School of Ornithology). One may tell the females and males apart by the scarlet moustache (male), and lack thereof on the female. In addition, the female’s scarlet crest only covers half the head.

Female Pileated Woodpecker

Male Pileated Woodpecker

In closing I will note it was nice to “sleep in” this morning. The last two days I have been out hiking in the forest by 5:45 am (sunrise is at 7:15 am). I am working upon locating this year’s Great Horned Owl’s nest. The female should lay her first egg within the next week, and the happy couple hopefully will reveal their location to me over the next 2 to 3 weeks.

Bohemian Waxwings have invaded Duluth (a somewhat rare winter bird down from further north). Folks are seeing flocks of 100, 250, 500 and even 1,000 Bohemians (like me this afternoon). Check out fruit trees in these neighborhoods … Chester Park, Congdon, Lakeside, and Woodland. My sighting was at 57th Ave East and Superior Street. The sky was swarming with them. We’re in the midst of a 6 inch snowfall, but the white stuff should end soon.