Friday, February 8, 2019

The Male Downy Woodpecker

One bird that is a daily visitor, even when the hawk is around, is the 
Male Downy Woodpecker

Males and females look similar, males have the pretty red patch on the back of it's head.
It is primarily black and white with an almost checkered appearance on it's wings,
it is the smallest of woodpeckers.
My Downy's make a lot of noise and have a very distinctive call.



They are a friendly bird that is easy to photograph.

18 comments:

Brian King said...

Beautiful photos! I'm glad yours are easy to photograph...they won't sit still for me. LOL!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Debbie, adorable captures of your male Downy woodpecker. Happy Friday, enjoy your day and weekend!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

It is indeed a handsome little woodpecker, which anywhere else in the world woukd be known as a pygmy woodpecker. We just returned from Costa Rica where we were bery happy to see an Olivaceous Piculet which is even smaller.

Louca por porcelana said...

How adorable...Hugs!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

My Northern don't usually stick around long enough to grab my camera. :)

Linda said...

Are they not afraid of the hawk?
Down at the ranch, the owl came back. Ate four more chickens!

Farm Girl said...

I wish we had them here all of the time.
We have quite a big flock of Flickers this year. I have only seen the woodpecker twice.
Ron saw him one day. I think he has moved on now though. Have a great day Debbie.

Karen Lakis said...

I think you and your birds have a special friendship. I love the downy woodpeckers, but I’m not sure they stay still for me.

Sally said...

Beautiful, Debbie! You know, I haven't heard a bird around here in ages; I don't know what's up with that. I mean don't most fly south in the winter? :)

xoxo

Ruth Hiebert said...

I love seeing these birds on my yard as well. Great pictures, as always.

Kim said...

I would think all the birds that visit you are friendly. =) That Downy Woodpecker is a pretty fellow. You must be so happy he is not afraid of that Hawk. I love that little patch of red on his head.

Marie Smith said...

Downy is a great description for that little beauty!

Judy said...

They love a suet cake.
Do you get the large Red Bellied Woodpeckers?

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

A gorgeous bird an I am glad it visits you daily. Have a wonderful weekend.

Maria Rodrigues said...

Wonderful bird, great captures.
Have a happy weekend
Hugs
Maria
Divagar Sobre Tudo um Pouco

Conniecrafter said...

I just love them, I always know when they are out there by the little sounds they make, they have been coming around again, they seem to come in spurts either that or I don't always see them :)
Have a great weekend!

LeAnn said...

I really love these photos of this delightful Male Downy Woodpecker. I love that they have that spot of red and then checkered appearing wings. This is a very magnificent bird in my opinion.
Sending loving thoughts and hugs your way!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

They are such sweet little feather balls! And apparently very brave!