Knock! Knock!


Who’s there? Woody. Woody who? Would you like to know about these noisy birds that are sooner heard than seen? Faraaz Abdool considers Tobago’s avian jackhammers. See more from Faraaz at farazabdool.com
 
Mention the word “woodpecker” and many of us recall a single image of a large black bird with a conspicuous red head. In fact, this general description has made certain species of woodpecker instantly recognizable and one of the easiest birds to identify in the world. We owe this to the popularity of the cartoon character “Woody Woodpecker”, an endearing animated version of the Pileated Woodpecker – a large and conspicuous resident of North America’s forested areas – that entertained generations since the 1940’s. 
Woodpeckers are dramatic characters; much of their day is spent pounding their heads against the trunks and branches of trees in search of food items that can range from spiders to insect larvae. A hole is made in the bark, and the bird’s long, sticky and barbed tongue shoots out at high speed, catching anything in its path. In fact, woodpeckers are so adept at removing these invertebrates from within the bark of trees that they may be necessary to maintain tree health, providing protection from mass infestations that may eventually kill large trees. Although the prospect of banging one’s head against a tree all day every day for the duration of one’s life might give you a headache just thinking about it, woodpeckers are designed for this activity.
Male red-crowned woodpecker  Photo courtesy Faraaz Abdool

Starting at the primary tool in its arsenal, the beak is made of three separate layers, keratin, foam and dense bone. These layers combine to dissipate the massive decelerating forces the bird experiences (which can exceed a thousand times the gravitational force) throughout the entire body of the bird, minimizing its impact on the brain. That long tongue that’s so effective at withdrawing insects from deep within the bark of a tree is kept in a special cavity that encases the bird’s skull – effectively cushioning it from the massive forces present whilst the woodpecker hammers away. The vast majority of woodpeckers have specially designed feet to help them hop around vertically – two of their toes point forward while the other two point backward. Further to their zygodactyl feet, their tail feathers have stiff shafts, which help to support the bird as it climbs and probes. 
Our favourite cartoon woodpecker, however, cannot be found anywhere within Trinidad or Tobago. On Trinidad, only two of the largest species share the famous red and black woodpecker suit. Size and the need to blend in have been proven to be inversely proportional in nature; and smaller woodpeckers are more likely to ditch their trademark black and red plumage in favour of something more incognito. 
Tobago is home to three species of woodpecker, of which the most ubiquitous is not found at all on neighboring Trinidad. Very often found in pairs consisting of a male and female bird, Red-crowned Woodpeckers are extremely vocal and usually announce their presence by a shrill rattling call. At a glance this bird may resemble an enlarged Barred Antshrike, but as with most woodpeckers, the red feathers give it away. It is actually the subtle patterns of red which allow us to tell the difference between males and females on woodpeckers.
   Female Red-crowned Woodpecker Photo courtesy Faraaz Abdool

For the Red-crowned Woodpecker, only male birds sport the signature red crown, while females  wear calmer, muted shades of cream. Both sexes have a small red patch on their underside, which along with their barred black and white upper parts reveal their close relationship to other species not found here such as Red-bellied Woodpecker, West Indian Woodpecker and Hoffmann’s Woodpecker (with which it interbreeds where their ranges overlap, causing much confusion). This charismatic species has been observed landing on hummingbird feeders, putting their long tongues to use to access the nectar from the feeder. Curious bees and wasps at the feeder are also fair game for this omnivore. 
Female Red-rumped woodpecker  Photo courtesy Faraaz Abdool

The smallest woodpecker found on Tobago is also the toughest to see. Found only within the Main Ridge Forest Reserve, the Red-rumped Woodpecker is often inconspicuous as it hops along branches and fallen trees within the forest. Interestingly enough, on Trinidad this bird inhabits a variety of habitats including virgin forest and mangrove swamps – but is equally difficult to get an eye on! Similar to the aforementioned Red-crowned Woodpecker, male Red-rumped Woodpeckers have a wash of red on their heads which females lack. Both sexes do have a bright red rump, plainly visible when the bird takes flight.
The extravagant sounding Golden-olive Woodpecker definitely lives up to its name, there is no other description to accurately describe the colour of its plumage. Resembling the Red-rumped Woodpecker, the wings and back of the Golden-olive Woodpecker are much brighter and well, golden. Golden-olive Woodpeckers also possess a striking facial pattern, proper inspection of which would crack the gender code for this species. A strip of feathers starting from the base of the bird’s bill and extending towards the neck is called the malar stripe, it is this stripe which is red in males and dark grey in females. 
Male Golden-olive woodpecker  Photo courtesy Faraaz Abdool
Female Golden-olive woodpecker  Photo courtesy Faraaz Abdool

Golden-olive Woodpeckers aren’t as widespread as Red-crowned Woodpeckers but they are just as noisy. Familiarity with their shrill calls will serve as a beacon for ardent birders seeking to  view this flamboyant species. Wooded estates such as cocoa plantations are ideal habitat for them along with all other forested areas on the island, at all elevations. Although Golden-olive Woodpeckers are fairly common across both Trinidad and Tobago, it should be noted that both islands are home to two separate subspecies – the birds on Tobago are slightly larger and heavier billed than their Trinidadian counterparts. 
Woodpeckers are complex, advanced and marvelous birds, whether in terms of social structure, bio-mechanical adaptations or simple aesthetics. Just like ancient humans, they communicate not only by voice but by drumming on specific trees in the forest. Many species are monogamous, keeping each other company as they forage, often working the same tree together. We are lucky to have not one, but three of these amazing birds sharing our space.
 
Lineated woodpecker in a Trinidad tree. "Makes a call like a car alarm" says Faraaz Abdool Photo courtesy Merryl See Tai

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