Downy woodpecker

February 2010 (Explore on Dec 19, 2011) Deep in the archives... I finally got around to editing some of these pictures taken at Fort Whyte... This Downy Woodpecker was quite photographic on this day, giving me a number of opportunities to get a decent shot... Please press "L" to see the larger lightbox version for more detail and contrast... 400mm - ISO 400 - F8 - 1/640th

Picture of a female downy woodpecker.

Downy Woodpecker--I had a pair of these at my suet this morning!!

The larger of two look alikes, the Hairy Woodpecker is a small but powerful bird that forages along trunks and main branches of large trees. It wields a much longer bill than the Downy Woodpecker's almost thornlike bill. Hairy Woodpeckers have a somewhat soldierly look, with their erect, straight-backed posture on tree trunks and their cleanly striped heads. Look for them at backyard suet or sunflower feeders, and listen for them whinnying from woodlots, parks, and forests.

Bill Hubick Photography - Wildlife Photography with a special emphasis on Maryland Birds - Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)

The Downy Woodpeckers are the most diminutive of America’s Woodpeckers, and they are the group that is most familiar to people.

As with all birds, you can get occasional visits from additional types of woodpeckers, they are just on the rare side.

Various hairy woodpecker photos.

We have to possibilities as to the original owner of the polka dotted feather: a downy woodpecker or a cuckoo. Both are native to my area....