skip to main content

Please ID this little woodpecker for me

14 years ago

I've been observing birds here for many years, but this one is new to me. I can't find him in my field guide either. He appears to be only about 5" tall, as the total height of the suet feeder is 6". Wish the pix were better, but I had to shoot through none-too-clean glass. He appeared to be very fluffed up; I hope he's okay.

Thanks for your help!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

alisande
Original Author
14 years ago
Meant to add that he looks like a Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker, but much smaller. Maybe mine is just young?
chickadeemelrose
14 years ago
I think you are right with the yellow-bellied sapsucker guess, and because of its size, it must be a young one.
The fluffiness does make them look different! But the red on the crown and throat is there, the messy black and white on the back, and the white stripe down the side is there I think, although hard to see because of the fluff.
I am only a very new backyard birder and used the Cornell Lab site to check this out. I hope I've been helpful!
Related Discussions
ID this little plant please?
Q
Comments (1)
Kalanchoe. Frequently offered, frequently sold, frequently asked about on the internet - look around, if you like and you will see multiple other posts.
...See More
Help me ID my little cactus please
Q
Comments (3)
Sideways pix always throw my brain for a loop! I'll take a crack at it...can't see the spines very well...but it seems to be growing abnormally (elongating ~even the new growth at bottom), so I'll guess it's etiolating. Perhaps it is Mammillaria elongata. It needs more sun!
...See More
My 3 little cacti - Please help ID them !
Q
Comments (4)
Can anyone tell me what species the cacti in the middle center of the photo is? It has long spikes, with long white hairs growing out of the areola around them. It's also blue green. Very interested to know what the cacti on the left hand side is....the one with orange hairs? Waiting for a cactus expert to answer, hopefully! Here is a link that might be useful:
...See More
Please ID This Little Gray Bird :)
Q
Comments (7)
Thank you so much TMFF! Unfortunately this bird was there for only a split second before it took off so I didn't have time to observe any of its behavior. It was also photographed through a very thick window so I didn't hear any vocalizing. There HAS been some bird in the area recently calling over and over again...sounds a little like "Kerry, Kerry..." or "keeery, keeery" but maybe what I'm hearing is "phoe-be?" and maybe it's him! (Her?) hmm... here is the only other photo I got of it. I wasnÃ¢ÂÂt going to post it because the resolution is so poor but maybe it will still be informative in some way!
...See More
gymell
14 years ago
It's an adult male yellow-bellied sapsucker. Size has nothing to do with age - except for water birds that leave their nests right after birth, pretty much any type of juvenile bird that has fledged is going to be the same size as an adult. Maybe this one is on the small side, or is missing a tail feather, or just the angle he's at makes him look smaller.
alisande
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the info, both of you. He was at the feeders all day, and looked to be the same size as a Downy Woodpecker. Maybe he's the runt of the litter. :-)

I'm happy to see him--my first YBS sighting in all the years I've been feeding birds here.

Related Stories

GARDENING FOR BIRDS Backyard Birds: How to Identify Two Common Woodpeckers

By Habitat Network

Downy and hairy woodpeckers have similar coloration and behavior. But there are two big differences that separate them

Help Me Design My Wine Cellar - Please!

HOUSEPLANTS Mother-in-Law's Tongue: Surprisingly Easy to Please

By creative jewish mom.com

This low-maintenance, high-impact houseplant fits in with any design and can clear the air, too

BEFORE AND AFTERS More Room, Please: 5 Spectacularly Converted Garages

By Samantha Schoech

Design — and the desire for more space — turns humble garages into gracious living rooms

Yes, Please: Parisian Hotel Flair

By Love Your Room LLC

Bring on the Bling to Recreate the City of Romance at Home

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Silphium Perfoliatum Pleases Wildlife

By Pollination Press LLC

Cup plant provides structure, cover, food and water to help attract and sustain wildlife in the eastern North American garden

HOME OFFICES Quiet, Please! How to Cut Noise Pollution at Home

By Christine Ciarmello

Leaf blowers, trucks or noisy neighbors driving you berserk? These sound-reduction strategies can help you hush things up

BATHROOM DESIGN Upload of the Day: A Mini Fridge in the Master Bathroom? Yes, Please!

By Mitchell Parker

Talk about convenience. Better yet, get it yourself after being inspired by this Texas bath

FLOORS Checks, Please! 13 Choices for Checkered Floors

By Lily Gahagan

Checkerboard Patterns Go From Casual to Ritzy, From Marble to Grass

GARDENING GUIDES Pathway Plantings That Please the Senses

By LuAnn Brandsen

Add some color, life and intrigue beside your sidewalk with these 7 suggestions

Sponsored

CHC & Family Developments

4 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Franklin County, Ohio

More Discussions

A MORE SPECIFIC QUESTION, PLEASE

0

What bird is this?

2

Did you know Hummingbird-flower mites?

0

where is everybody?

0