Downy Woodpecker

Description:

All female, Downy Woodpeckers

Habitat:

On trees near beef suet feeders hanging in our yard. Feeders and trees are located next to a frozen lake and within seven miles of woodlands, farmlands, prairie fields and open areas of water along a creek

Notes:

I put out tons of beef suet all year long but its consumed the heaviest throughout winter (November through April). I also occasionally make homemade suet logs using rendered beef suet, creamy peanut butter, corn meal, oats and flour and while the Red-headed Woodpecker seems to prefer it (spring and fall migration) so do Grackles, Jays, Raccoons, Crows and Ravens so I have started only putting it out at or around migration. Also coming to the suet feeders are: Red and White-breasted Nuthatches, Black-capped Chickadees, Blue Jays, Crows, Ravens, Northern Flickers and the always present Downy Hairy and Pileated Woodpeckers. This particular female (closeup images) Downy Woodpecker was very comfortable with my proximity and showed no signs of distress or fear: No raised crown feathers, no ruffled feathers, no squawks or peeps of protest, no aerial attacks and no flying off with my extremely slow but continual approach. I've actually had Downy Woodpeckers land on my arm, hand and basket while refilling their suet baskets so in general they appear to be very accepting of humans in general.