A closer look: Woodpecker vs Woodcreeper!

These 'tree huggers' have so much in common but are also so different from each other: Woodpeckers and Woodcreepers.

Common aspects:
- tree climbers: both Woodpecker and Woodcreeper search the bark for something to eat (insects, larvaes and sap) and start their way from the bottom to the top.
- quiet residents: both Woodpecker and Woodcreeper like to keep it on a down low while foraging on the bark of the trees. Silently they work their way up and when they notice you, they will change course to another tree or just go around the corner.

Different aspects:
- color: Woodpeckers all have different colors and patterns, making them easy to identify when seen, while Woodcreepers all have the same identical color: brown.
- identity: Woodpeckers can easily be identify by their appearance, but Woodcreepers are identified easily via their call or sound. 
- travel/foraging: Woodpeckers are seen often travelling in pairs while Woodcreepers prefer to travel most of the time alone.
- territory: when you can hear Woodpeckers hammering on the bark of a tree, it means that it is 'marking' its territory by the sound its making. The Woodpecker wants others to know which spot is already taken. 

These are just based on my personal experience with the both of them. When seeing a woodpecker I can easily identify it within minutes, but with a Woodcreeper it can take days (just to make sure that it is the right one): trying to hear their call and trying to take a picture to identify via birdbooks. Mysterious or colorful, either way both woodpeckers and woodcreepers are fascinating in their own unique way.

You may also like the following posts:

Woodpeckers in Kabalebo!

The tiniest wood creeper of Kabalebo!