People may have noticed that I have a fondness for woodpeckers. Unfortunately I now live on the side of the Wallace Line from which they are absent. I have to saw that Marsupials and Lyrebirds are a decent replacement, but I do miss woodpeckers.
So, on last years trip to Canada I was pleased to reacquaint myself with some of these delightful birds.
The Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) is the smallest woodpecker in North America, and I saw them on a number of occasions in Canada. It sports the black and white plumage that is emblematic of woodpeckers (in my opinion), but this my be the result of growing up with the black and white Greater Spotted Woodpeckers rather than any real science!
Down Woodpeckers are rather small ranging from 14 to 18 cm in length, with a weight 20 to 33 g. They primarily live in forested areas, and can often bee seen on artificial feeders.
The birds with red on the head are males, and those without red are female.
As ever, click on the link to join in with WBW. Cheers SM
Thank you Stewart
ReplyDeleteWe have a woodpecker hanging around our yard. I love that they make their presence known so we can spot them. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat photos !
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteI have heard many Woodpeckers this year in the woods of this Bonny Land - but seen not a one! I was amazed to discover, when visiting the States and Canada a few years back, that Woodpeckers were as ubiquitious in gardens as Cardinals and Grosbeaks... I never managed a shot as good as these though! YAM xx
The woodpecker looks immaculate in its own plumage.
ReplyDeleteAlways great to spot a Woodpecker Stewart Thanks for hosting and commenting Have a great week ahead
ReplyDeleteA delightful little bird. There is one in my yard now even as we speak.
ReplyDeleteLove these little birds. We see them often on our walks on PEI.
ReplyDeleteI love the little Downies.. They are frequent visitors at my feeders, just about daily. Nice pictures Stewart! Hope all is well.
ReplyDeleteI like woodpeckers. I had not heard the Wallace line before.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of the woodpecker. Have a nice weekend !
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