Woodpecker video

Woodpeckers have shown up in our housing estate the last few day. They like to sit on the light posts and make "drum rolls" on the metal plates on top of the light posts. Initially I attempted to get some nice photos of the woodpeckers, but then I realized that the most amusing part of their activity (the drum rolls) would not be captured on a photo, one has to hear the sound. I therefore tried the video mode on my K-5 for the very first time. So here is a short video of the woodpecker. K-5 and FA*300mm + AF Adapter 1.7x and tripod. This video is shot from our bedroom window, unfortunately I had to close a door while I was filming, which resulted in some camera shake. Watch the video, it is quite amusing!

http://vimeo.com/59141689

Best regards
Bjørn

PS: Below is a picture of the "main actor" in the video

Very nice! Love the photo too.
A sure sign of spring coming when the woodpeckers start hammering. Sadly I haven't heard them here yet.

After pecking on the metal plate he goes a bit down the pole and pecks at the wood. Perhaps the "drum roll" results in insects exiting their burrows and the woodpecker has picked up on it and is finding that an easier method of getting food.
Lovely photo and I am amazed at the video quality. I also have a K5 and have not yet tried to capture video. Perhaps I shall if I come across a really interesting subject.

I wonder who stuffed the pine cone in the hole?

Thanks Gwyn! Yes, we are also looking foreward to spring coming, we have had a long and cold winter.

I sent an e-mail to a Norwegian ornithological club, with some questions about woodpeckers. The ornithologist that answered my request, believed that the woodpeckers mark their territory with the pecking, and they like the resonance of the metal plates. The woodpeckers also peck on wood in search of insects, like you also say. The video quality on the original K-5 avi file is much better than www.vimeo.com is able to reproduce. And considering that there is a 510mm zoom on the shot, the quality is excellent.



Not me

Excellent capture of some very funny behaviour. I wonder
if they also tap to attract a mate.

If you tap quickly on tree where one is nesting they
quickly stick their heads out to what's going on

Yes they hammer to attract a mate and set out their territory - they usually find a good resonating tree for this. When they are pecking for food it is a very quiet tick, whereas in spring it can be heard throughout the wood.