Deep in the lush greenery of Del Monte Forest, a juvenile Hairy Woodpecker, sporting a red patch on its head, perches vertically on the upper side of a fallen, bleached Monterey pine trunk. Lush green vegetation, possibly wild cucumber (Echinocystis lobata) and burcucumber (Sicyos angulatus) surround the fallen trunk. Both are annual vines commonly found in Monterey County.
These vigorous plants can quickly overtake gardens, fields, and natural areas. They produce a large number of seeds, ensuring their continued presence in the ecosystem. California Hedge Nettle (Stachys bullata) with vibrant pink flowers adds a touch of color to the scene.
The juvenile lets out loud, repeated calls, seemingly begging for food. Meanwhile, on the lower side of the fallen trunk, another adult Hairy Woodpecker, also with a red head patch, is busy feeding its hungry chick. The adult pecks at the bottom and backside of a short, dead branch sticking out of the fallen log, extracting food and feeding it to the persistently calling chick.
For the next two minutes, the adult woodpecker works tirelessly, extracting food from the dead branch and feeding it to the hungry chick. All the while, a spotted towhee raises its voice in loud calls nearby, and an occasional call from an acorn woodpecker adds to the forest symphony.
As the feeding session reaches its end, the adult woodpecker makes a jump and swaps positions with the chick. The chick then climbs down the sloping log and triumphantly takes flight, having been well fed by its parent.
This video offers a close-up look at the feeding behavior of Hairy Woodpeckers and the bustling activity of a vibrant ecosystem within the seemingly peaceful Del Monte Forest.