Spotted woodpecker family saga: how male birds care for chicks

Calendar summer is here and bird life is in full swing in Estonian forests. Spotted woodpecker chicks have recently fledged from the nest, and male birds are actively protecting their territory. An observer witnessed a territorial fight between two yellow-headed males that broke out in an old pine forest.

June has brought Estonian nature to the height of bird season. Several species have already dealt with their first brood and started preparing for a second clutch, with song thrushes and barn swallows being particularly dedicated parents this summer. One garden nuthatch pair has already raised a second brood and is presumably about to tackle a third.

Spotted woodpeckers leave the nest

Spotted woodpeckers, called greater spotted woodpecker in folk speech, have also been parents this year. Their chicks left their spruce-tree apartment a few weeks ago, and no new chick-rearing is expected for the rest of the season.

About three weeks ago, when a nature observer decided to keep watch on an old pine forest's great spotted woodpecker nest, there was a constant soft and quiet tapping sound. One afternoon, the observer decided to investigate more closely, and it turned out to be a spotted woodpecker father who was diligently working on the tree trunk.

Territorial fight in the forest

Immediately after the discovery, another yellow-headed male landed on the same tree. Between the two males, the forest came alive with struggle, as they had to fight to determine who owned the territory.

Such behaviour is typical for spotted woodpeckers: males are active seekers of nesting material, nest-hole excavators and chick feeders. During brood-rearing, duties are shared equally between mother and father, but the male is particularly eager to defend his living space.

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The forest comes alive with struggle, a territorial fight between two yellow-headed males, one tree and all the tension in between. Spotting this hidden summer spectacle is a rare treat.