![]() The drumming of woodpeckers is also heard as they excavate a new nest cavity, or in search of food, removing dead bark or driving insects to the surface for a tasty meal. Once they selected a tree trunk, telephone pole, metal furnace flue on a house, or even gutters where their drumming resonates satisfactorily, they will return frequently to make their territorial announcement. One is to announce their territory to other woodpeckers in the area. Then, in late winter, the Downy’s interest shifts to his mate or prospective mate and the drumming begins. These birds established feeding territories in the early fall comprised of both natural foods and supplemental foods provided in bird feeders, and follow each other around in feeding teams exploiting those resources. Lone Downy Woodpeckers will travel around with Chickadees, nuthatches and Tufted Titmice in winter. It often travels with other small birds during the winter months in what are called loose flocks. This small woodpecker is pretty much a loner during much of the year. They may however battle over who has the right to the suet feeder. It is certainly interesting to note that these two species exploit rather differently-sized foodstuffs and generally do not compete very much ecologically. The most noticeable difference between the features of the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers is the Downy is smaller in size by 3”, and a beak half the size of their head. In fact the Downy Woodpecker is more closely related to the Ladder-back species which is found in the southwest part of the country. They look very much like a distant relative of the Hairy Woodpecker and are virtually identical in plumage pattern, but these two species are not closely related at all. One can easily approach them while they are visiting the feeding stations. ![]() You probably know by now how easy it is to attract them to suet feeders, and bird feeders stocked with sunflower or peanuts. The female Downy is strictly black and white. The male can be distinguished from the female at any age by this red patch. Adult males have a red patch on the back of the head. ![]() They have a black tail with white outer feathers that are barred with black. There is a white bar above and below the eyes. Adults are mainly black on the upper parts and wings, with a white back, throat and belly, and white spotting on the wings. It is not only the most common and prevalent woodpecker in this area, but is also the smallest of our North American woodpecker species. They are well established in older neighborhoods with mature trees and the first of our woodpeckers to show up in a developing neighborhood. The Downy Woodpecker is a permanent resident bird. ![]()
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