Those Amazing Birds

  The Bayou is evidently a safe haven for woodpeckers of all kinds. Perhaps the many Longleaf Pine Trees and Black Gum Trees have something to do with their staying around here.  These trees provide them with many good places to call home.  The Black Gum Trees are especially favorable as once damaged, the tree dies from the top downward.  For years to come, a dead Black Gum Tree will stand strong against the winds.  The top of one of these dying trees is usually riddled with large holes that the woodpeckers drill with their steady pounding. Even if the holes are not used by the woodpecker, other critters or birds will lay claim to the easy nesting site.

It is easy to see how the tail feathers are used as a prop.

  While out and about, I found another feather from one of my friendly Pileated Woodpeckers.  This time of year is molting season so the yard is littered with all sorts of castoff feathers.  The most recent one that caught my attention was a tail feather from a woodpecker.  The feather was easy to identify as from what bird and what type of feather.  All woodpeckers have specialized tail feathers that allow them to "hold" on to trees as they hammer out a hole either looking for bugs or building a nest.  The birds use their tail as a sort of prop.  The tail feathers have very sharp, stiff points that actually can "dig" into tree bark.  These feathers along with their unique toes allow the bird to easily climb up trees.  Their toes are different than other birds.  While most perching birds have three toes forward and one back, woodpeckers have two forward and two back...but it is those tail feathers that caught my eye.

  While examining the feather, I ran my finger across the tip.  The tip was divided into two spikes and was coated with some stuff that almost resembled resin.  I pondered if this was normal or if the bird's tail actually "collected" the sap from the pine trees.  This is something that I will have to research!  

  Finding this feather made me even more aware of how amazingly unique birds are.  They are all given special features that allow them to survive.  The tail feathers and toe placement allow the a woodpecker to scale even the tallest of trees.  Its strong bill and super long tongue allow it to drill holes and "fish" out beetles and grubs that are far under the tree bark.  Amazing!