Nests are vitally important to us birds since that’s where we raise our chicks. That’s why we put so much effort into making them every spring. Nests can often be used only once, but some birds are able to spruce up their old nests and use them again. We woodpeckers make our nest by pecking holes in trees, which makes them solid and long-lasting. Nests like ours are built so well that other creatures use them, too. You could say they are valuable property!
What do you think? Would you like to try living in a woodpecker’s nest hole? You’d better be quick, though—“the early bird gets the worm,” after all!
Great Spotted Woodpecker’s Nesting Behavior
Great spotted woodpeckers (akagera) hollow out their nest holes in tree trunks. They generally choose dead trees whose trunks are thick enough to make a nest suitable for the parents and several chicks. This is a large bird, so the nest holes are roughly 30 centimeters deep. Since it’s easier to hollow out softer material, they try to select spots that are dead or hollow if they use a living tree.