What Are These Holes?

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1. 1
   

   Kenbo

   April 27, 2012 at 11:18 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment

   I believe those are caused by insects, not birds. However, the insects would be the reason the birds dig into the trees.

   Kenbo

2. 2
   

   pipenta

   April 27, 2012 at 11:46 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment

   This

   http://www.amazon.com/Tracks-Sign-Insects-Other-Invertebrates/dp/0811736245

   is a good resource.

   It might be helpful to know just where that tree is.

3. 3
   

   Monado

   April 27, 2012 at 11:47 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment

   They look like woodpecker’s insect-hunting holes to me. A clue is that they tend to horizontal rows, which the bird does by clinging to the bark in one spot and moving its head a little each time, producing that familiar “rat-tat-tat.”

   The larger woodpeckers, e.g. pileated, also carve out deep nesting holes which are a few inches across and go right down into the wood. Usually the most obvious sign is a scattering of fresh wood chips at the bottom of the tree.

4. 4
   

   Chuck VA

   April 27, 2012 at 6:27 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment

   Those definitely look like woodpecker holes.
   Monado is correct. The horizontal rows are usually a dead giveaway.

5. 5
   

   Achrachno

   April 27, 2012 at 11:06 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment

   Looks to be an acorn woodpecker granary tree. I think you can even see the stored acorn remains in a few of the holes.

   The woodpeckers dig shallow holes in trees or fence posts, insert acorns, and come back later to feed on insects that infest them, and perhaps on nut meat too.

6. 6
   

   Achrachno

   April 27, 2012 at 11:09 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment

   Here’s another picture, of a fallen granary. Look similar?

   http://www.flickr.com/photos/24870394@N03/2370844202/