You may remember the post I recently made about raising two nestling pileated
woodpeckers, and provided links to photos from hatchling to eyes just beginning
to open.
Well folks, it's time for me to eat some crow! These guys turned out NOT to be
pileated woodpeckers, but are probably red-bellied woodpeckers! I was wrong in
my ID, which I based solely on their large size as hatchlings and their fast
rate of growth and weight gain in the first few days. I apologize for the
error. The good news is that they have been a joy to raise and both are doing
great. Here is their pic taken one week (6/11/14) after the last pics I posted.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj193/humnchirp/songbirds/RedBellies_zpscdaee92f.jpg
They are even more beautiful now, and although still being hand fed, they are
beginning to explore the logs in their enclosure.
As requested, I will post one more pic of them just before they are released
when they are self-feeding and fully-flighted juveniles.
Thank you all for your kind comments about these amazing birds. Again, sorry
for the misidentification.
Connie
Connie & Wilton Sale
Chesapeake,VA 23322
humnchirp@xxxxxxxxxxx
Hummingbirds and Songbirds
State and Federal Permits
NWRA, IWRC
WildLife Response, Inc.
http://www.wildliferesponse.org/
Member, Evelyn's Wildlife Refuge
http://www.evelynswildliferefuge.org/ ;
Member, Sacred Friends Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc.
http://www.sacredfriend.org/
