Not-so-little Pileated Woodpecker

Our young Pileated Woodpecker, whom we call Hannah, is very close to feeding herself at our suet feeder. For several days now, both parents accompany her to the feeder, coaxing her to give it a try.

Father (whom we call Big Daddy) sits on the tree while Mom (whom we call Big Momma) flies to the suet feeder.

Little Hannah looks as if she just might give it a try.

She flies to the post and sits.

She looks up at the suet feeder, and thinks about taking off.

It was only a brief thought. She flies back to the tree.

She sits on a limb, waiting to be fed.

Big Momma doesn't fly away. She prepares to feed her Hannah.

So, once again, Hannah wins.

Just compare their sizes. Hannah is almost as big as her mother.

I have no idea how long these adults will continue to feed their little girl. They don't fly away from her until she has eaten her fill. Perhaps some birds spoil their little ones just as some parents do. I'm fairly certain that Hannah is eating insects by herself. I have seen her drilling, so perhaps eating at the suet feeder isn't all that important. But I will keep on watching.