Did the weasel really fly on the woodpecker?

Did the weasel really fly on the woodpecker?

Amateur photographer Martin Le-May, from Essex, has recorded the extraordinary image of a weasel riding on the back of a green woodpecker as it flies through the air. Mr Le-May said he was astounded by the reaction to the picture on social media. The wildlife shot has been retweeted several thousand times.

How do woodpeckers fly?

Most woodpeckers fly with short swoops. Each of their feet has two toes pointing forward and two toes pointing backward. This helps the birds cling to tree trunks. Most types of woodpecker eat insects found in tree bark.

Are weasels real?

Weasels are small mammals with long bodies and necks, short legs and small heads. They are closely related to ermine, ferrets, polecats and minks — all members of the Mustela genus — and are in the same family (Mustelids) as badgers, wolverines and otters.

Are there weasels in London?

Widespread in England, Wales and Scotland, but absent from Northern Ireland and most islands.

Do snakes eat woodpeckers?

Common predators of woodpeckers include wild cats, snakes, foxes, large birds and rats, although other animals may also prey on the woodpecker. Many of the insects the woodpecker eats are derived from its characteristic pecking on tree bark to extract the insects lurking within.

How big is a woodpecker?

An Average Sized Adult Pileated Woodpecker An average-sized adult is likely to measure 16-19 inches in length, with a wingspan of up to 30 inches. When this impressive-looking bird is in flight it is a beautiful sight to see!

Why are weasels called weasels?

Terminology. The English word “weasel” was originally applied to one species of the genus, the European form of the least weasel (Mustela nivalis). This usage is retained in British English, where the name is also extended to cover several other small species of the genus.

Are foxes weasels?

The mammalian order Carnivora is very diverse and includes many mainly carnivorous mammals such as: bears, cats, wolves, foxes, weasels, badgers, ferrets, otters, skunks, mongooses, genets, raccoons, hyenas, seals, sea lions, and walruses.

How big is a weasel?

They weigh about 1 ounce (25 grams) and grow to just 4 to 10 inches (11 to 26 centimeters) long. Larger weasels include the long-tailed weasel and the tropical weasel. They grow to 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) long and weigh 3 to 12.3 ounces (85 to 350 g).

What animal kills woodpecker?

Bobcats, coyotes, foxes, and hawks are some of the predators that eat woodpeckers.

Can a woodpecker fly with a weasel on its back?

Cooke also said that the average female weasel only weighs as much as a candy bar, so it isn’t impossible for a woodpecker to fly with the mammal on its back: “This is a truly extraordinary image. The green woodpecker is a ground-feeding bird, but weasels normally attack rabbits. The woodpecker is not its usual prey.

Can a weasel ride a woodpecker?

According to an image captured by amateur photographer Martin Le-May, they can if they hitch a ride on the back of a woodpecker. The picture shows a least weasel ( Mustela nivalis ) clutching on the back of a European green woodpecker (Picus viridis), likely as a result of a predatory attack gone awry.

What species of woodpecker is Woody Woodpecker?

Cream-colored Woodpecker (Celeus flavus): The Cream-colored Woodpecker is a species of woodpecker native to South America, from Colombia and the Guianas to Peru , Bolivia , and the eastern part of Brazil. It is colored creamy yellow, except for the wingtips and tail, which are much darker.