Page 584 - Hand rearing birds second

Woodpeckers 585

Figure 38.6 Aviary for small- to medium-sized woodpeckers. Note the ample logs and stumps to provide
foraging and climbing opportunities, plus boxes for roosting.

flights lasting for 5–10 minutes of continuous flight at ambient temperatures without panting.
Birds should shed water when misted and should weigh as much as a normal adult. Whenever
possible, release birds in their home neighborhood. Choose the release day to avoid weather
extremes. Release in the morning, because woodpeckers are diurnal.
If it is late in the year when the bird is ready for release, consideration should be given as to
whether or not the bird should be overwintered. This is especially true of late babies as some wood-
peckers will have a brood into the early fall.
Some species, such as Acorn Woodpeckers, will not accept unfamiliar fledglings into an estab-
lished territory, although the family should recognize missing members if they are returned within
a few weeks. It is preferable for Acorn Woodpeckers to minimize aviary time in order to get the bird
back to its home territory quickly.
The author has had success in consolidating hatchling, nestling, and fledgling Acorn Woodpeckers
from different groups to form a new social colony. As each colony has its own language, it is impor-
tant that a group be kept together for 1 to 2 months before release so they can communicate with
each other or learn the language of a group that may be in the area they are going to be released. A
soft release is recommended. As Acorn Woodpeckers are colony birds, it is unfair to place them
alone in a captive environment.