For some animal species, the act of raising young is left up to the female, but most share the job. Such is the case for this great spotted woodpecker father.
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Check PriceKey Takeaways
- According to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee , 90 percent of birds are monogamous and raise young together, like this father.
- both the male and female great spotted woodpecker share the role of incubating the eggs for a period of 14 to 16 days, according to the British Trust for Ornithology.
- For some animal species, the act of raising young is left up to the female, but most share the job.
- Such is the case for this great spotted woodpecker father.
@animalplanet #Nature is beautiful 🤍 #birds #wildlife #peaceful ♬ original sound – Animal Planet
In this video from Lawrence Chatton and posted by Animal Planet, the male great spotted woodpecker, which can be told from the female by the red patch on the back of its neck, feeds a juvenile woodpecker, which can be identified not only by the fact it’s being fed but by its red cap, which is present on both sexes of juveniles.
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According to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 90 percent of birds are monogamous and raise young together, like this father.
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The father shares food with the juvenile, which appears to be made up of insects, a key part of the woodpecker’s diet.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Male identifier | Red patch on the back of its neck |
| Juvenile identifier | Red cap, present on both sexes of juveniles |
| Diet | Insects |
| Incubation period | 14 to 16 days |
| Incubation role | Shared by both male and female |
| Bird monogamy rate | 90 percent of birds are monogamous |
Not only does the father help to feed his young, but both the male and female great spotted woodpecker share the role of incubating the eggs for a period of 14 to 16 days, according to the British Trust for Ornithology.
One quick note of interest: the birds singing in the background aren’t actually woodpeckers, but rather the song of the Eurasian blackbird (called the common blackbird in its home range).
Hear the great-spotted woodpecker’s call here:
Contrasted with the blackbird’s complicated song:
