I thought this young male Downy Woodpecker, with bits of suet on his bill, was a striking bird, and that’s why I decided to share this photo today.
Young male Downy Woodpecker in Arkansas – Canon R7, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 1000, -1.0 EV, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light
I’ve been hearing Downy Woodpeckers calling outside my living room window frequently since my return to Utah. Their calls and whinnies always make me smile. In fact, I can’t help myself; I have to smile when I hear Downy Woodpeckers.
This young male Downy Woodpecker was photographed in the yard of my dear friend, Steve Creek, from his deck. I had a cup of coffee within easy reach while sitting in a comfy chair, watching all the birds in Steve’s wonderfully birdy yard. Steve’s adorable Yorkie, Rosie, was probably also within easy reach for petting. Rosie had me figured out, she knew I couldn’t resist petting her even if I was photographing birds.
Downy Woodpecker Facts:
- Downy woodpeckers are the smallest woodpeckers in North America. They measure around 6.5 to 7.1 inches in length.
- Woodpeckers are known for drumming on trees, but the Downy Woodpecker has a distinctive drumming pattern. Their drumming is slower and more deliberate than that of larger woodpeckers, and it often includes pauses between taps.
- Downy Woodpeckers primarily feed on insects, larvae, and eggs found in trees. They have a specialized tongue that is barbed and sticky, helping them extract insects from crevices and tree bark.
- These birds are tree-hugging acrobats and skilled climbers who are are well adapted to cling to vertical surfaces, such as tree trunks, due to their strong feet and stiff tail feathers, which provide stability while foraging.
- Downy Woodpeckers have a distinctive call that sounds like a high-pitched “pik,” which they use for communication and territorial purposes.
No matter where I am in the country, I adore hearing, seeing, and photographing Downy Woodpeckers. Photographing them in Steve’s yard in Arkansas was a wonderful treat.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Downy Woodpecker photos plus facts and information about this species.
They are wonderful birds. I think of all the birds I have weathered and released from a wildlife rehab, these birds seem so pure instinct to peck everything and look for food. When I watch fledglings with parents, the parents don’t seem to stay long with them after fledging. They also don’t get ruffled by other birds, just their own species. They are very territorial.
What a handsome bird! From your descriptions, I can imagine myself in Steve’s yard with all the greenery, birds, insects, and a pupper for company.
WHAT a beauty.. Thank you.
So beautiful. Here the woodpeckers are moving into the neighborhood and sometimes it sounds like a drummer playing cymbals because they peck at the gutters lol