Bird of the Week: Downy Woodpecker
Monday December 29, 2008
This week’s featured bird is the perky downy woodpecker, the smallest of the North American woodpeckers. Common throughout most of the United States, these tiny birds (just six inches long) are easily spotted in the forest, particularly along waterways, and they will readily visit backyards for suet, bread and seeds.Do you have a picture of a downy woodpecker or other favorite backyard bird to share? Email me and your picture could be featured in an upcoming bird profile or Bird of the Week!
Downy Woodpecker - Female
Photo © Melissa Mayntz
Comments
This is to strange, I was reading todays newsletter about the Downy Woodpecker, I look up and both the male and female flew in to eat on the suet cake. I wish I had a camera so I could take pictures to send.
These are favorites of mine when they come to the feeder. I love all the woodpeckers.
yes, I have about 6 pairs and they are hilarious to watch. They like the traditional peanut butter cakes, but they love (and the squirrels hate) the suet balls that my butcher makes! They have also learned to tease my inside cats by dancing on the deck in front of them….it’s almost like they watch for them to taunt.
i love the downy woodpeckers they frequent my feeders i made by drilling holes in a post and packing it with suet.
I not only have Downies where I live but also Flickers, Red Bellied and Piliated Woodpeckers. I really enjoy being able to tell which one is nearby by just listening to the call. The Downies are cute; they look like little wind up toys.