Primary and Secondary Cavity Use

Woodpeckers are almost unique in that they are primary cavity users. That is, they create their own holes for use as nesting and roosting sites.  But not all woodpeckers do this, some are secondary cavity users. The two species in the genus Jynx, the wrynecks, do not excavate holes. For example, the Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla in this photo used the old nesting cavity of a Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius in which to breed. The Middle Spotted had created and bred in the cavity the previous year. Some species also re-use their holes and those made by others. Photo: Bukk Hills, Hungary, June 2012, Gerard Gorman. 

Picid in Focus: preening Pale-billed Woodpecker

A female Pale-billed Woodpecker Campephilus guatemalensis preening. Photo by Gerard Gorman, Costa Rica, 2012. 

Picid in Focus: Pale-billed Woodpecker female

Pale-billed Woodpecker Campephilus guatemalensis in its nesting cavity in a dead palm tree. This is a female, note the black just visible of the forehead, males have all-red heads. Photo by Gerard Gorman, Costa Rica, 2012. 

Picid in Focus: Cardinal Woodpecker female

Female Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens. One of Africa's most common woodpeckers. Photo taken in Uganda, March 2012, Gerard Gorman.