ML637793104

Media notes

Succulent spider for chicks. Did not appear to prep the food -- smashing or wiping on bark. Cavity opening to lower left of image.

Observation details

Feeding young. Been observing the cavity nest for one week. Oak tree, nest cavity 60 feet up, cavity opening facing south by southwest. Can hear the chicks 100 feet away. Quite the racket. Constant begging calls. As for number of chicks, there are at least two, and most like less than 100. Both parents feeding, approx, 15 to 20 min intervals. Sometimes shorter times between visits. At start of observations Jun 7, both parents entered nest to feed. Many times they appeared to approach with trepidation, to steel themselves to enter the warren of rapacious chicks. Tentatively putting head into cavity opening, withdrawing several times before going in, escaping quickly. Now the parents just stick their head in mostly, occasionally going deeper -- I presume as the chicks grow -- and drop off the insect meal. The parents used to vocalize near the nest now they are mostly silent, with the male on occasion vocalizing after feeding. The male would lean back and peer into the cavity, then vocalize. I loosely translate as "When you bums going to get out of the basement and get a job." Attached images of feeding. The chicks are still tucked into the cavity and none has stuck their head out the cavity yet.

Additional species

• Red-bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus