Looking Out the Window: The Downy Woodpecker

Looking out the window today, there was a female Downy Woodpecker feeding on a fruit berry nut and seed bell. 

The Downy woodpecker has a checkered black and white appearance.  

The Downy's beak is considered small and is about one third of the length of the rest of the head. 

In addition to identifying the Downy by its shorter beak, the tail feathers are another way. The Downy's outer tail feathers are patterned with black and white. Take a look at the tail feathers in the collage below and you can see the outer tail feathers are black and white (giving a checkered appearance).

You can really get a good look at the tail feathers in the next collage. 

The Downy head is boldly striped, and the back has a wide white stripe down the center as read here. 

I was so excited the very next morning, a male downy came to visit. You can see in the collage below, the male downy has a red patch on the back of his head and the female does not. I took a lot of pictures but was not able to capture his tail feathers. 

While I was taking pictures of the male downy, a male cardinal dropped in.  The cardinal sat on a branch but I could tell he was wanting a bite of the fruit berry nut and seed bell. That didn't go over well with the downy and the cardinal was quickly given the boot. 

Note that the red patch on the back of the male downy's head is a solid red patch. I love the first picture in the collage below. He held this position with his head back for a few seconds and I was able to take five shots before he moved. 

I wish I had pictures of the Hairy Woodpecker so we could look at differences between the Hairy and the Downy. Maybe one day I will have the opportunity to photograph the Hairy. Here are a couple of links if you want to check out the distinguishing features of the Hairy and the Downey. It's very helpful. Here and here. 

For now, I am very pleased to capture images of the Downy male and female woodpeckers. 

Thanks for stopping by for another day of Life in Kentucky - Judy. 

Linking to:

Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings

Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Mosaic Monday @ Lavender Cottage

Show and Share @ Coastal Charm

Nature Notes @ Rambling Woods on Monday

Our World @ Our World Tuesday Meme

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life on Tuesday

The Scoop @ StoneGable Blog

You're Gonna Love It Tuesday @ Kathe With an E

Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer

Wild Bird Wednesday @ Paying Ready Attention Gallery

Nature Notes @ Rambling Woods

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern

Home and Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life

Simple & Sweet Fridays @ Rooted in Thyme 

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have A Cup of Mrs. Olson

Foodie Friday & Everything Else @ Rattlebridge Farm

Photo Friday @ Pierced Wonderings

Saturday's Critters @ Viewing Nature with Eileen

Camera Critters