Suet at the bird feeders here insures that Downy Woodpeckers (Picoides pubescens) show up. They’re cute little things, about the same size a Dark-eyed Junco or a White-throated Sparrow. The smallest woodpeckers in North America. The Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) is quite similar in its markings but a good bit larger — the size of a Robin. The proportional size of its bill to the head is a good indicator too, in telling the two apart. The bill of the Downy is about a third the size of its head. The bill of the Hairy is nearly as long as the woodpecker’s head. I love seeing these handsome little ones. I’m about out of suet, I’ve gotta get busy and mix up some more to keep those Downies happy.
