MCR Monthly Newsletter

June 2025

WOODPECKERS (Family Picidae) are amazing animals! We are fortunate to have at least 7 different woodpeckers here in New Jersey.

Six of the seven woodpeckers of NJ may be seen and heard here at MCR throughout the year.  In fact, all six are pretty common at MCR.  The Red-headed woodpecker is the exception, only showing up rarely at MCR over the years during the spring and fall migration times.

When a woodpecker pecks on a tree it is known as “Drumming.” Woodpeckers do this to expose food (insects) and larvae living under bark, attract a mate, and/or mark their territory. With some practice the type of woodpecker can be identified by its drumming.

The tongue of a woodpecker is very long and is covered in tiny barbs and sticky saliva which helps it grab and hold onto insects. For example, a Pileated Woodpecker’s tongue extends about 4 inches beyond the end of its beak to probe deep into insect galleries (burrows) in dead wood in search of ants and beetle larvae. Do you know a woodpecker’s super long tongue wraps around its brain and helps absorb some of the massive shock from beating its head against trees! A woodpecker tongue is a marvel of nature engineering!!!

Get out in the preserve and enjoy some of these magnificent birds.  Remember to take pictures and leave only footprints.

ENJOY!

P.S. Mother bears with new cubs are active now at MCR.  If you encounter a bear, don’t run! Give them a wide berth, raise your arms and shout (let the bear know you are there) and slowly walk away.

Ranger Rich