The feature image is a female Downy Woodpecker at one of our feeders with a peanut in the beak. Caught red handed!
Female
Downy Woodpeckers are a small woodpecker 5.5-6.5 inches long (14-17 cm). They are often seen on backyard feeders. These woodpeckers prefer suet, black oil sunflower seeds, millet, peanuts and chunky peanut butter. They look like the Hairy Woodpecker but about 2/3 the size and can cause a beginner birder some real identification issues. They are black and white with a solid white stripe down the center of their back.
Male
The male is distinguishable by the red cap on his head. They can be seen throughout most of North America and in Bermuda. In the winter, Downy Woodpeckers often fly with other species in mixed flocks which allows them to spend less time looking for predators. Safety in numbers!
This is my first time participating in April Blogging from A-Z Challenge. As a birder and photographer, I will be sharing a new bird with you every day. I host a weekly photo challenge called Bird Weekly and would love for you to stop by anytime. Join in if that is your thing too.
Our Eyes Open 
Comments
16 responses to “A-Z Challenge – D is for Downy Woodpecker”
What a beautiful little bird💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are pretty and fun to watch too! Their little personalities are almost like a joker. 🙂
LikeLike
💜🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are downy woodpeckers in this area, wintertime is usually when I see them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we saw them when were there in September, 2019. Got a look at a Hairy too while we were there. He was in a tree at the B&B we were staying in Montana! That is always a treat! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
We were lucky and saw the Lewis woodpecker a number of times, always a thrill, no pictures. I do have a number pictures of the acorn wecker another treat to see.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Both of those woodpeckers would be lifers for me. I love the way the Acorn looks. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome captures!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! They are always fun to watch. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like watching these little guys.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too. 😊
LikeLike
that’s a cool looking bird. I often hear woodpeckers, but then I have trouble seeing them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I propose getting a nice pair of binoculars. Not just to see birds. They are great for people watching too…lol! NOT THAT WAY! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
sounds like a pair of binoculars have a wide range of uses 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely! But you didn’t hear that from me. LOL! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person