Hello, everyone! Today, I’m delighted to introduce you to a charmingly tiny woodpecker that you can find in the nature around us, the “Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker.”
With the size of a sparrow and a modest presence, this bird is just 15 centimeters in length and weighs only 18 to 26 grams. it is the smallest of the woodpecker species living in Japan, but don’t be fooled by its size—it holds remarkable strength.
In males and females, the main difference is a red patch on the back of the males’ heads, but it’s quite a task to distinguish their beautiful gray-brown and white speckled plumage in the wild. Yet, they make their presence known by clinging to trees and announcing themselves with a distinctive “gi-ee” or “gii-gii-gii” call as they navigate through the foliage.
From autumn to winter, they form flocks with other birds like the Great Tit or the Japanese White-Eye, bustling as part of the lively forest community. Indeed, this season is like a social gathering for the birds.
One of the communication methods of the Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker is “drumming.” This rhythmic pecking on trees serves the same purpose as singing, signaling territory and courtship.
Moreover, this drumming also plays a part in protecting the trees from pests. By eating the insects inside the trees, they act as the “Little Guardians of the Forest,” safeguarding their woodland home.
As the seasons change, if you hear a “gi-ee” in a park or your backyard, take a moment to quietly observe the tree trunks. You might just spot a Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker diligently searching for food. They’re not particularly wary, so there’s a good chance you can observe them up close.
Why not tune in to the small symphony of the forest woven by the Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker? Surely, you’ll encounter new discoveries and meetings.
