Looking Up

This little male Downy Woodpecker seems to be in awe of the larger male Hairy Woodpecker emptying our high feeder on this winter day. 

They are the most common woodpecker species in Washington state. Hairy Woodpeckers' beaks are as long as their heads; Downy Woodpeckers' beaks are half the length of their heads.

Hairy Woodpeckers clearly have feathers, not hair. Their name springs from the long, thread-like white feathers in the middle of their black backs.

Apologies for my irregular commenting and blipping; I'm hoping that once the holidays are over, I'll be more active here.

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