Jun 30 2008
They almost look alike
Here’s a great photo for learning the difference between downy woodpecker babies and their parents.
Last week Marcy Cunkelman took this photo of a downy woodpecker father feeding his youngster in her backyard.
Adult male downy woodpeckers have a red spot on the back of their heads. Adult females have no red at all. So that’s dad on the right.
Immature downy woodpeckers have a muted red spot on their foreheads. That means Baby is on the left.
I learn something new every day. Thanks, Marcy.
Actually, only the male juveniles have the red on their foreheads. Female young look more or less like smaller versions of their mothers.