I think my connection to woodpeckers is the same for any bird. I find them all beautiful and interesting creatures who deserve our respect because they do so much to keep the natural world happy and healthy. I was very happy to take this class because it taught me more about woodpeckers, a group of birds I like to watch but didn't know as well as other bird species.

My "spark bird", which was the catalyst for my interest in birds and ornithology, was a downy woodpecker, and so it's no wonder that today woodpeckers are my favorite group of birds! This, along with watching the individuals around where I live, makes me feel connected to them.

I'm fortunate to have 4 woodpecker species visiting my back yard suet feeders. They are like old friends to me now.