A Pair of Downy Woodpeckers: Regina Backyard Birds

This morning, both the male and female Downy Woodpeckers dropped by to savour the suet in my Regina, Saskatchewan, backyard. (And it was, in fact, called Woodpecker Suet, or Suet for Woodpeckers, which would be somewhat better...)

The female perhaps saw me through the lit dining room window. She took off. The male stayed long enough to pose on the nearby lilac tree — and then show off his suet-tackling skills.

Downy Woodpecker, waiting to launch onto my backyard bird feeder. © SB 

These little birds — barely bigger than our ever-present sparrows — a) are extremely wary; b) have excellent eyesight; or c) dislike me and/or my camera. Whenever I show up at the window when they're feeding, the Downy Woodpeckers track my movements for several seconds, and then take off. (My co-resident, however, claims he can tramp around the back porch snow without disturbing them, so he's opting for c), in spite of my claims that either a) or b) are clearly more likely to be true.)

Downy Woodpecker clasping suet holder. © SB

What is this? Downy Woodpecker 
Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada  
Photo date: December 2, 2014.

~~~~~

Downy Woodpecker: Backyard Regina Birds

A Downy Woodpecker landed today on the new package of suet hanging from the lilac trees in our Regina, Saskatchewan, backyard. After a taste and many seeds, the Downy flew to a metal lantern hanging nearby.

A female, I think. (The Downy Woodpecker, that is... I have no ideas about the lantern's potential gender.) This small bird was totally black and white, without the characteristic back red neck spot that males sport.

Female Downy Woodpecker, backyard Regina, SK  © SB

What is this? Female Downy Woodpecker 

Location: Backyard, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Photo date: Nov. 8, 2014.

~~~~~

Downy Woodpecker Drilling at my Window Ledge

A rat-tat-tat-tat from the window caught my attention. I looked up to see a Downy Woodpecker on the windowsill, his beak busy drilling at the ledge.

By the time I got outside to take his picture, he'd flown from the house to the crab apple, and then to the tree by the road.  (He = male = yes. You can tell by the red spot at the back of his head.) 

The Downy Woodpecker who was at
my home office window. © SB

Several weeks ago, I saw a female Downy Woodpecker, and had a slightly better chance to capture her feathers and markings.

Female Downy Woodpecker - no red spot.  ©  SB

What are these birds? Downy Woodpeckers

Location: Male: Front yard, Regina, Saskatchewan. Female: Wascana Park, Regina, Saskatchewan. 

Photo dates:  Male: July 26, 2012. Female: May 25, 2012. 

~~~~~