Big And Small Woodpeckers

Rick Cartwright February 6, 2025

Teresa captured this photo. I wanted to share it to show the size difference between a Downy Woodpecker (one of the smallest woodpeckers) and the Pileated Woodpecker.

From the audubon link:

"Excluding the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, which is largely believed to be extinct, 22 woodpecker species call North America home. The Pileated is the largest living woodpecker in North America—nearly three times taller than the petite Downy Woodpecker."

They are very large .. but a cool looking bird.

~ Rick

Check out my vlog, which includes more of my photography and videography: tales.photos (on YouTube). Remember to like, comment and subscribe!

My photo blog can be found at tales.photos.

Tree-tweeting?

Rick Cartwright February 5, 2025

This Downy Woodpecker was not upside down, but he was all over the place. It took me a while to get a photo. They are such a small woodpecker. I will share a photo that shows their size tomorrow

~ Rick

Check out my vlog, which includes more of my photography and videography: tales.photos (on YouTube). Remember to like, comment and subscribe!

My photo blog can be found at tales.photos.

Still Hanging Around

Rick Cartwright February 1, 2025

Yes, a high percentage of our photos of Downy Woodpeckers seem to be of them hanging upside down.

~ Rick

Check out my vlog, which includes more of my photography and videography: tales.photos (on YouTube). Remember to like, comment and subscribe!

My photo blog can be found at tales.photos.

Downy Pecker Party

Rick Cartwright January 3, 2025

We are seeting large numbers of Downy Woodpeckers. There are a few other species but not nearly as many as these woodpeckers.

I asked Grok to tell me about downy behaviors and received this: Downy woodpeckers (Dryobates pubescens) exhibit several interesting behaviors:

Foraging: They primarily feed on insects, especially wood-boring beetles, ants, and caterpillars. They use their strong, straight bills to peck at tree bark, searching for insects hidden beneath. They can also be seen eating seeds, berries, and occasionally sap from sapsucker wells.
Drumming: Males often drum on trees or other resonant surfaces to establish territory and attract mates. This drumming is less intense and lower in frequency compared to larger woodpeckers, producing a rapid, softer tapping sound.
Climbing: Unlike many birds, downy woodpeckers can climb vertically up tree trunks and move headfirst down them, thanks to their stiff tail feathers which provide support and balance.
Excavation: They excavate their own nesting cavities in dead or decaying trees, which they use for breeding. Both males and females participate in this process, though the male often does the majority of the work.
Social Behavior: While generally solitary, they might join mixed-species flocks during non-breeding seasons. They are not as territorial outside of the breeding season and can sometimes be seen in loose groups.
Communication: They have a variety of calls including a high-pitched 'pik' for contact or alarm, and a whinnying call during courtship or territorial disputes.

Nice!

Rick

Check out my vlog, which includes more of my photography and videography: tales.photos (on YouTube). Remember to like, comment and subscribe!

My photo blog can be found at tales.photos.

Downy On Repeat

Rick Cartwright December 24, 2024

We are not sseing much diversity lately .. it feels like we see the same birds most days. They have been very active so we enjoy capturing their pictures. In this case its a Downy Woodpecker.

~ Rick

Check out my vlog, which includes more of my photography and videography: tales.photos (on YouTube). Remember to like, comment and subscribe!

My photo blog can be found at tales.photos.

Big And Small Woodpeckers

Tree-tweeting?

Still Hanging Around

Downy Pecker Party

Downy On Repeat

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