John Burroughs, one of the masters of American nature writing, wrote "The birds do indeed begin with the day. The farmer who is in the field at work while he can yet see stars catches their first matin hymns. In the longest June days the robin strikes up about half past three o'clock..."... read more »
As part of their spring courtship, Downy Woodpeckers perform a spectacular "butterfly flight." The birds seem to dance in the air, holding their wings high, and flapping slowly and lazily like butterflies. It's the smallest woodpecker in North America, and you might miss it, as it pecks for... read more »
Coast to coast, border to border, forest to feeder, the Downy Woodpecker goes about its business in 49 states. The smallest woodpecker in the United States, it turns up everywhere there are a few trees, except in the dry deserts of the Southwest and in Hawaii.Sign up for weekly preview email and... read more »
A family of dapper Black-capped Chickadees call as they hang upside down, pecking at alder seeds. A wren skulks and buzzes through the underbrush. A petite Downy Woodpecker whinnies nearby. Mixed-species flocks may include a dozen species and more than fifty individuals. More ears and eyes mean... read more »
In winter, a foraging flock might include several species of birds: chickadees, kinglets, and even a Downy Woodpecker. Many bird species eat alone, so you might wonder why these birds have chosen to dine together. Different species foraging in a group to find food enhances the success of all. One... read more »
Early spring in the West resounds with the percussive hammering of woodpeckers. Their rhythmic drumming functions as other birds' songs do, to broadcast over a long distance a clear statement of territory and mating rights. Learn about this Pileated Woodpecker and the others in this show - the... read more »
When it comes to woodpeckers, nature has been very generous to the Northwest. Some areas, like the Okanogan region in north-central Washington, host among the highest diversities of woodpecker species anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere. You may spot the diminutive Downy Woodpecker or the... read more »
Early spring in the East resounds with the percussive hammering of woodpeckers. Their rhythmic drumming functions as other birds' songs do, to broadcast over a long distance a clear statement of territory and mating rights. Learn about this Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and the others in this show -... read more »
Since it’s often hard to see a bird, veteran birders characterize the sounds of birds in order to identify them. So what words do they use? Well, they use “whistle,” for example, to describe the sound of this Olive-sided Flycatcher. And "rattle" for that of the Belted Kingfisher. There's the... read more »
These Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers appear nearly identical, but the Hairy Woodpecker is larger than the Downy, with a distinctly longer bill. And it doesn't have the black spots on its outer tail feathers like the Downy. But even if you can’t observe these spunky birds, you can identify them by... read more »
Many woodpeckers chisel out deep cavities in tree trunks in order to lay their eggs and raise their brood. The cavities hollowed out by the birds vary in size, depending on the species of woodpecker. Most North American woodpeckers carve a new nest cavity each spring.Support for BirdNote comes... read more »
Generations of birders have puzzled over how to tell Downy Woodpeckers from Hairy Woodpeckers. The two species’ patterns of black and white feathers are so alike that it was long thought they were the closest of relatives. The two live in similar woods, nest in similar trees, and eat many of the... read more »
What is the only state in the U.S. where Downy Woodpeckers are not found? Hawai'i!This male Downy Woodpecker foraged on a mossy trunk in Washington State near photographer Gregg Thompson. Interestingly, male and female Downy Woodpeckers often look for food on different parts of the tree:... read more »
What is the only state in the U.S. where Downy Woodpeckers are not found? Hawai'i!This male Downy Woodpecker foraged on a mossy trunk in Washington State near photographer Gregg Thompson. Interestingly, male and female Downy Woodpeckers often look for food on different parts of the tree... read more »
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Male Downy Woodpecker has to put up with a Catbird and a Robin who simply don't understand suet feeder etiquette nor the fact that this is a woodpecker blend made for attracting woodpeckers. The little Downy's get their share, but Catbirds and Robins have no shame when it comes to suet!... read more »
Webcams and videos are hosted by third parties.
In exchange, you may periodically see 30-second advertisements. BirdNote
does not endorse any of the products, services, or causes on third-party
pages. All webcams have seasonal changes and may be down for hours, weeks,
or months at a time. If this one is not active, please check our video or
webcam gallery for more.
Webcams and videos are hosted by third parties.
In exchange, you may periodically see 30-second advertisements. BirdNote
does not endorse any of the products, services, or causes on third-party
pages. All webcams have seasonal changes and may be down for hours, weeks,
or months at a time. If this one is not active, please check our video or
webcam gallery for more.
Webcams and videos are hosted by third parties.
In exchange, you may periodically see 30-second advertisements. BirdNote
does not endorse any of the products, services, or causes on third-party
pages. All webcams have seasonal changes and may be down for hours, weeks,
or months at a time. If this one is not active, please check our video or
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