December 17, 1999

     For the Birds

Even before the leaves fall, the downy and the hairy woodpeckers prepare for winter by finding or digging out cavities usually high in trees, which become their roosting holes, often vigorously defended against other hole-roosting birds. Each woodpecker roosts at night in a separate roosting hole and will retreat there during daylight hours if the weather becomes poor. Deserted woodpecker roosting holes are popular with other birds, such as chickadees and nuthatches, and flying squirrels.

Ducks and geese stay on ponds during cold nights, while pigeons and European starlings often seek ledges of concrete buildings that have retained some heat. House sparrows like haylofts and garages. American goldfinches, northern cardinals and juncos often roost in pines and spruces.

Ring-necked pheasants are basically ground-dwelling birds. Roosts are usually in wetlands where cattails and other vegetation provide cover and insulation. They also have been seen roosting 3 to 4 feet off the ground in mature Norway spruces and higher in other spruces and pines.