Over the past couple of weeks I have noticed a red-breasted sapsucker
landing on a shingled roof and spreading it's feathers (I hesitate to
use the term spread-eagled with a woodpecker). This weekend it landed
on our deck where I could observe it a little closer. The sun was
shining and the deck was heating up nicely. The bird again spread out
wings and tail, and stayed flattened to the deck until it began to
pant (?), beak agape. It uttered several very strange calls (mewing,
chirping, and an almost donkey-like braying sound), fluttered around a
little, then tried to walk (very difficult for a woodpecker on a flat
surface). Then it fluffed and rearranged it's feathers and flew away.
I didn't see any preening actions.

Could this be a strategy to overheat lice or other parasites and make
them leave? Would this be a possible alternative to the acid effect
of "anting"? Do woodpeckers eat the ants/termites and use this heat
strategy instead?

It was very interesting for us to observe, in any case. I'm basically
a "lister" (55 yard birds since I moved here in February). Does this
"observation" now entitle me to a promotion to birdwatcher?

Bruce Helmboldt
Duvall, WA
bhelmboldt at seaao.dcmdw.dla.mil