The Muse is Loose

If you have ever seen one of these clown-faced birds you will never forget it. Their faces are red, white, and black with big yellow eyes. Acorn woodpeckers can be found in higher elevations in Texas. Fort Davis State Park has some. They fit their names. They gather and eat acorns. Unlike other woodpeckers they live in colonies of up to ten birds. All the birds share in storing acorns in tiny holes. They share in that food supply in winter when the acorns are hard to find. They even share in raising young. When one lays eggs all of them take turns setting on the eggs, trading places several times an hour. They share in raising the young. They appear to be one big happy cooperative family. Acorn woodpeckers, like any other family, have their quarrels and disagreements. They even shake their wings at each other in a heated argument, but through it all they are among the most cooperative birds you can find. They are also friendly with humans. O, they won't come up and sit in your lap but they will let you see them close- up. Their clown-like faces make them fun to see. They can, however, riddle a telephone pole with hundreds of small acorn-size holes where their food for hard days are stored. In higher elevations look for the acorn woodpeckers. It will be worth your time.