One of the great treasures in our park is the daily chorus of birdsong that echoes throughout the oak woodland forest. Among the avian symphony, there is a family of birds that play the part of the percussionists; joining the ensemble not just with their voice, but with the rhythmic beat of their hammering beaks. You guessed it, we’re talking about woodpeckers! These headbangers each have a pecking drumbeat that is unique to their species, and with a little practice, you can actually learn to identify different woodpecker species by the cadence of their pecking.  

Pileated woodpeckers, for example, have a slow resonant drumming that lasts for about three seconds at a time. By contrast, the hairy woodpecker sounds more like a high-pitched mini jackhammer, pecking at about 26 beats per second, with second-long intervals. 

Want to learn more? Join our upcoming online birding seminar, led by naturalist Jerry Coe via Zoom. In this month’s program, Jerry will cover the different woodpecker species that you might find in the park. He will show you different methods for field identification and how to use essential tools like binoculars and bird guides. 

Jerry Coe is a naturalist with over eight years of intensive training in ornithological field identification. He spent 15 years as a volunteer in Nevada’s Great Basin National Park, using bird activities to assess the health of habitats. Jerry has also guided outdoor expeditions all over the world.

Date: Friday, May 21

Time: 6pm – 7pm

Venue: Zoom meeting (details emailed once space is reserved). 

REGISTER HERE

Space is limited; reservations required. 

Free (donations appreciated)

Cancellations notified via email.

Questions? Email programs@friendsofchinacamp.org or call (415) 456-0766.

 Photo credit: Pileated woodpecker by © Hal and Kirsten Snyder/Macaulay Library