Birds of America 
(State Bird of Alabama)
By John James Audubon, F. R. SS. L. & E.
VOLUME IV.
THE GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER.
[Northern Flicker or Yellowhammer]
PICUS AURATUS, Linn.
[Colaptes auratus.]
PLATE CCLXXIII.--MALE and FEMALES.
It is generally agreeable to be in the company of individuals who are
naturally animated and pleasant. For this reason, nothing can be more gratifying
than the society of Woodpeckers in the forests. To prove this to you, kind
reader, I shall give you a full account of the habits of the Golden-winged
Woodpecker.
This species, which is usually called Pique-bois jaune by the French
settlers in Louisiana, and receives the name of High-holder, Yucker, and
Flicker in other parts of the Union, being seldom or never graced with
the epithet Golden-winged, employed by naturalists, is one of the most
lively of our birds, and is found over the whole of the United States.
No sooner has spring called them to the pleasant duty of making love,
as it is called, than their voice, which, by the way, is not at all disagreeable
to the ear of man, is heard from the tops of high decayed trees, proclaiming
with delight the opening of the welcome season. Their note at this period
is merriment itself, as it imitates a prolonged and jovial laugh, heard
at a considerable distance. Several males pursue a female, reach her, and,
to prove the force and truth of their love, bow their heads, spread their
tail, and move sidewise, backwards and forwards, performing such antics,
as might induce any one witnessing them, if not of a most morose temper,
to join his laugh to theirs. The female flies to another tree, where she
is closely followed by one, two, or even half a dozen of these gay suitors,
and where again the same ceremonies are gone through. No fightings occur,
no jealousies seem to exist among these beaux, until a marked preference
is shewn to some individual, when the rejected proceed in search of another
female. In this manner all the Golden-winged Woodpeckers are soon happily
mated. Each pair immediately proceed to excavate the trunk of a tree, and
finish a hole in it sufficient to contain themselves and their young. They
both work with great industry and apparent pleasure. Should the male, for
instance, be employed, the female is close to him, and congratulates him
on the removal of every chip which his bill sends through the air. While
he rests, he appears to be speaking to her on the most tender subjects,
and when fatigued, is at once assisted by her. In this manner, by the alternate
exertions of each, the hole is dug and finished. They caress each other
on the branches, climb about and around the tree with apparent delight,
rattle with their bill against the tops of the dead branches, chase all
their cousins the Red-heads, defy the Purple Grakles to enter their nest,
feed plentifully on ants, beetles and larvae, cackling at intervals, and
ere two weeks have elapsed, the female lays either four or six eggs, the
whiteness and transparency of which are doubtless the delight of her heart.
If to raise a numerous progeny may contribute to happiness, these Woodpeckers
are in this respect happy enough, for they have two broods each season;
and as this might induce you to imagine Woodpeckers extremely abundant
in our country, I may at once tell you that they are so.
Even in confinement, the Golden-winged Woodpecker never suffers its
naturally lively spirit to droop. It feeds well, and by way of amusement,
will continue to destroy as much furniture in a day as can well be mended
by a different kind of workman in two. Therefore, kind reader, do not any
longer believe that Woodpeckers are such stupid, forlorn, dejected and
unprovided for beings as they have hitherto been represented. In fact,
I know not one of the species found in our extensive woods, that does not
exhibit quite as much mirth and gaiety as the present bird. They are serviceable
birds in many points of view, and therefore are seldom shot at, unless
by idlers; their flesh, moreover, not being very savoury. They have ample
range, and wherever they alight, there is to be found the food to which
they at all times give decided preference.
The flight of this species is strong and prolonged, being performed
in a straighter manner than that of any other of our Woodpeckers. They
propel themselves by numerous beats of the wings, with short intervals
of sailing, during which they scarcely fall from the horizontal. Their
migrations, although partial, as many remain even in the middle districts
during the severest winters, are performed under night, as is known by
their note and the whistling of their wings, which are heard from the ground,
although by no means so distinctly as when they fly from a tree or from
the earth, when suddenly alarmed. When passing from one tree to another
on wing, they also fly in a straight line, until within a few yards of
the spot on which they intend to alight, when they suddenly raise themselves
a few feet, and fasten themselves to the bark of the trunk by their claws
and tail. If they intend to settle on a branch, which they as frequently
do, they do not previously rise; but in either case, no sooner has the
bird alighted, if it be not pursued or have suspicions of any object about
it, than it immediately nods its head, and utters its well-known note,
"Flicker." It easily moves sidewise on a small branch, keeping
itself as erect as other birds usually do; but with equal ease does it
climb by leaps along the trunks of trees or their branches, descend, and
move sidewise or spirally, keeping at all times its head upwards, and its
tail pressed against the bark as a support.
On the ground, where it frequently alights, it hops with great ease.
This, however, it does merely to pick up a beetle, a caterpillar, a grain
of corn dropt by a squirrel from the ear in the fields, or to enable it
to examine the dead roots of trees, or the side of a prostrate log, from
which it procures ants and other small insects. It is also fond of various
fruits and berries. Apples, grapes, persimmons and dogwood berries seem
quite agreeable to it, and it does not neglect the young corn of the farmer's
field. Even poke-berries or huckle-berries answer its purpose at times,
and during winter it is a frequenter of the corn-cribs.
In this species, as in a few others, there is a singular arrangement
in the colouring of the feathers of the upper part of the head, which I
conceive it necessary for me to state, that it may enable persons better
qualified than myself to decide as to the reasons of such arrangement.
The young of this species frequently have the whole upper part of the head
tinged with red, which at the approach of winter disappears, when merely
a circular line of that colour is to be observed on the hind part, becoming
of a rich silky vermilion tint. The Hairy, Downy and Red-cockaded Woodpeckers
are subject to the same extraordinary changes, which, as far as I know,
never reappear at any future period of their lives. I was at first of opinion
that this change appeared only on the head of the male birds, but on dissection
I found it equally affecting both sexes. I am induced to believe, that,
in consequence of this, many young Woodpeckers of different species have
been described and figured as forming distinct species themselves. I have
shot dozens of young Woodpeckers in this peculiar state of plumage, which,
on being shewn to other persons, were thought by them to be of different
species from what the birds actually were. This occurrence is the more
worthy of notice, as it is exhibited on all the species of this genus on
the heads of which, when in full plumage, a very narrow line exists.
Racoons and Black-snakes are dangerous enemies to this bird. The former
frequently put one of their fore legs into the hole where it has nestled
or retired to rest, and if the hole be not too deep, draw out the eggs
and suck them, and frequently by the same means secure the bird itself.
The Black-snake contents itself with the eggs or young. Several species
of Hawks attack them on the wing, and as the Woodpeckers generally escape
by making for a hole in the nearest tree, it is pleasing to see the disappointment
of the Hawk, when, as it has just been on the point of seizing the terrified
bird, the latter dives, as it were, into the hole. Should the Woodpecker
not know of a hole near enough to afford it security, it alights on a trunk,
and moves round it with such celerity as frequently to enable it to elude
its pursuer.
Their flesh is esteemed good by many of the sportsmen of the Middle
Districts, and is frequently eaten. Some are now and then exposed in the
markets of New York and Philadelphia; but I look upon the flesh as very
disagreeable, it having a strong flavour of ants.
The neck of this species is larger than that of any other with which
I am acquainted, and consequently the skin of this bird is more easily
pulled over the head, which it is difficult to do in the other species,
on account of the slenderness of their neck, and the great size of the
head.
This species visits the Fur Countries in summer, advancing as far north
as Great Bear Lake, and, according to Dr. RICHARDSON, resorting in the
greatest numbers to the plains of the Saskatchewan, where it frequents
open downs, and feeds on larva. Mr. TOWNSEND has traced it high on the
upper Missouri, but saw none near the Columbia, where it is represented
by the Red-shafted Woodpecker, which is there as abundant as the present
species is in our Eastern Districts. I have met with it from Texas to the
northern extremity of Nova Scotia, but saw none in Labrador. The eggs measure
an inch and a twelfth in length, by nearly seven-eighths in breadth. Mr.
T. MACCULLOCH has favoured me with the following notice respecting this
species.
"While rambling through the woods one afternoon with my brothers,
I observed a considerable quantity of chips, which seemed, from the freshness
of their colour, to have been but recently detached from the tall decayed
stump, at the foot of which they were laid. A glance at a round hole near
the top of the stump was sufficient to apprize us of their origin, and
a few smart raps upon the trunk brought a Golden-winged Woodpecker to the
aperture, to ascertain the cause of the disturbance below. Having eyed
us for a moment, he jerked himself out, and flew to the top of a neighbouring
tree, where, uttering a few shrill notes, he was immediately joined by
his mate, and both seemed anxiously to watch all our movements while we
remained near the cradle of their future progeny. By us the possession
of one of these beautiful birds had long been ardently desired, and we
determined not to permit the present opportunity to pass unimproved. The
situation of the nest was therefore carefully marked, and we resolved to
return when the young birds should be fully fledged, and secure one at
least as our lawful prize. During the interval the nest was often visited,
and many plans were formed to effect our purpose, but when the period which
we supposed necessary had expired, we discovered with no little mortification
that the stump was too much decayed to be climbed with safety, and too
insecure to admit of any thing being applied to facilitate the ascent.
To overturn the nest was the only way then by which we could obtain the
object of our wishes. To effect this all our strength was exerted, so that
we soon had the satisfaction of seeing the stump yield, and eventually
give way with a heavy crash, by which it was broken into many pieces. Eager
to secure our prize, we hastened to the spot, but conceive our disappointment
when, instead of the full-fledged birds which we expected to obtain, a
large number of naked objects, apparently just out of the shell, some of
them scarcely half the size of others, and all with their eyes yet unopened,
lay scattered upon the ground. This was a result which we had never anticipated,
and disappointment quickly yielded to strong feelings of compunction, as
we surveyed the poor sightless creatures writhing their necks and quivering
under the severity of the shock. To repair the mischief, if possible, the
fragments of the nest were speedily gathered and neatly joined, and having
collected the brood for the purpose of replacing it, we were astonished
to find that the nest had contained the almost incredible number of eighteen
young birds, besides three eggs, which still remained unbroken, notwithstanding
the violence of the fall. For this singular instance of fecundity I am
wholly unable to account, unless by the supposition that, from the nest
being in the immediate vicinity of a public road, one of the birds had
been shot after the usual deposit of eggs had been made. The survivor having
procured another mate, an addition was made to the number of eggs, and
most probably from the same cause a third, ere the work of incubation commenced.
The vigour of one of the parents being impaired may perhaps explain the
diversity of size, while the eggs which remained were probably the first
deposited, but in which the vital principle had become extinct ere the
last was laid. Perhaps it may be interesting to mention that our efforts
to repair the injury were not attended by the result that we desired. Upon
a subsequent visit the whole brood was found cold and dead; and if the
parent birds had ever re-entered their prostrate nest, it was merely to
witness the devastation we had wrought, and then to abandon it for ever."
GOLD-WINGED WOODPECKER, Picus auratus, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol.
ii. p. 45.
PICUS AURATUS, Bonap. Syn., p. 44.
COLAPTES AURATUS, Golden-shafted Woodpecker, Swains. and Rich. F.
Bor. Amer., vol. ii. p. 314.
FLICKER or GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 561.
GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER, Picus auratus, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. i.
p. 191;vol. v. p. 540.
Male, 12 1/2, 16.
Breeds from Texas to Nova Scotia, and the Fur Countries. Generally distributed
in the United States. Eastern bases of Rocky Mountains. Extremely common.
Resident in the Southern States.
Adult Male.
Bill slightly arched, strong, nearly as long as the head, compressed
at the tip, which is a little abrupt; upper mandible convex on the sides,
with acute, overlapping edges; lower mandible with acute, inflected edges,
the dorsal outline nearly straight, a little convex towards the end. Nostrils
basal, lateral, oval, partly covered by recumbent feathers. Head of ordinary
size. Neck shortish. Body ovate. Feet short, rather robust; tarsus scutellate
before, compressed; two toes before, and two behind, scutellate above;
claws compressed, arched, acute.
Plumage rather compact and imbricated, blended on the head and neck.
Wings longish, the third and fourth quills longest, the second much shorter,
the first very small. Tail of ordinary length, rounded, consisting of ten
broad feathers, worn to an elongated tip by being rubbed against the bark
of trees.
Bill brown above and at the tip, light blue beneath. Iris light brown.
Feet greyish-blue. Upper part of the head and hind neck light purplish-grey;
a transverse band of scarlet on the lower part of the occiput. Upper parts
generally light greenish-brown, spotted with black; the lower back white,
the tail-coverts of the same colour, spotted with black. Primaries brownish-black,
their shafts, as are those of all the large feathers, orange. Tail brownish-black.
Sides of the head and fore neck light brownish-red, tinged with grey. A
black streak along each side of the throat, and a lunated patch of the
same across the fore part of the breast. The rest of the breast reddish-white,
spotted with black, as are the lighter coloured abdomen and under tail-coverts.
Under surface of the wings and tail of a fine rich yellow.
Length 12 1/2 inches, extent of wings 16; bill along the ridge 1 1/3,
along the gap 1 3/4; tarsus 1 1/6, middle toe 1 1/4.
Adult Female.
The female differs chiefly in wanting the black streaks on the throat,
in having the lunulated spot on the breast smaller, and in being somewhat
duller in the tints of the plumage generally.
Dimensions nearly the same.
An adult male preserved in spirits has the interior of the mouth as
in the other species, its width 5 1/2 twelfths; the posterior aperture
of the nares oblongo-linear, 6 twelfths in length. The tongue is 1 inch
5 twelfths long, 1 1/2 twelfths in breadth at the base, gradually narrowed
toward the end, with a small horny rather blunt tip, on which are two series
of small reversed pointed papillae. The horns of the hyoid bone are recurved
in the usual manner, and extend to the right nasal membrane, to which their
sheath is attached. The other apparatus connected with the tongue is the
same as in the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. The pyramidal or salivary glands
are very large, extending half an inch beyond the articulation of the lower
jaw. The oesophagus is 4 inches long, of moderate width. The proventriculus
is very much enlarged, as in the other species, its greatest width being
8 twelfths. The stomach is a muscular gizzard of moderate size, its right
lateral muscle twice as large as the left, the tendons very large; the
epithelium strong, longitudinally rugous, and reddish-brown. In the stomach
are grains of maize, seeds of grasses, and insects. The proventricular
glands are very small, and form a belt 9 twelfths in breadth at the right
side, but narrower toward the left. The intestine is 15 inches long, from
3 twelfths to 2 1/2 twelfths in width. There are no coeca. The cloaca is
large and elliptical.
The trachea is 2 inches 9 twelfths long, 1 1/2 twelfths in breadth,
considerably flattened, its rings, which are well ossified, 90 in number,
with 2 additional dimidiate rings. The muscles are as in the other species;
but the glosso-laryngeal differ very considerably in their insertion, as
is represented by the accompanying figures, in which they are seen before
and behind. They come down parallel to each other, as far as the commencement
of the thyroid bone, then diverge, each of them passing toward its own
side, winding behind the trachea, crossing it at the back part, reappearing
in front at the opposite side, and crossing obliquely to the other side,
thus forming a figure of eight, and finally inserted at its back part at
the distance of 9 twelfths from the tip of the thyroid bone. The bronchi
are of moderate length, narrow, of 15 half rings.
There is a very curious gradation in the degree of elongation of the
horns of the hyoid bone in the different American Woodpeckers, some of
which consequently have the power of thrusting out their tongue to a much
greater extent than others. Thus:
In Picus varius, the tips of the horns of the hyoid bone reach only
to the upper edge of the cerebellum, or the middle of the occipital region.
In Picus pubescens, they do not proceed farther forward than opposite
to the centre of the eye.
In Picus principalis, they reach to a little before the anterior edge
of the orbit, or the distance of 1/2 inch from the right nostril.
In Picus pileatus, they extend to half-way between the anterior edge
of the orbit and the nostril.
In Picus erythrocephalus, they reach to 3 twelfths of an inch from the
base of the bill.
In Picus tridactylus, they reach the base of the ridge of the upper
mandible.
In Picus auratus, they attain the base of the right nasal membrane.
In Picus canadensis, they curve round the right orbit to opposite the
middle of the eye beneath.
Lastly, in Picus villosus, they receive the maximum of their development,
and, as represented in the accompanying figures, curve round the right
orbit, so as to reach the level of the posterior angle of the eye. is a
lateral view of the parts, shewing the hyoid bones curving round the eye.
shews these bones as viewed from above.
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