looking, I might have those id's a little screwed up between Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers... and I assume, those are Mourning Doves... I'm learning. I named them only from size - either little (Hairy) or big (Downy). Now I see some of the little ones don't have red on the side of the top of their head; so I'm pretty well clueless. (thanks;) Dax

Those are great pictures. You're not clueless, you're learning. The ones with the red on their heads are the males. The Hairy woodpeckers are much larger and can be identified by the length of their beak. The Downy's have the short beaks. The ones with the long beaks in pictures 8, 9, and 13 are Hairy woodpeckers. All the others are Downy woodpeckers. Thanks for sharing those. You have some really great shots in there.

Great photos. I think you got enough action for your $80!

Oddly enough I read on the internet that the small ones were the Hairy and the large ones are the Downy. Just opposite, kendra.

I am going to use the beak length for id purposes.

Thank you both. I love birds!

Dax

As others have noted, Downy is the smaller of the two. You have both in pictures with similar objects, feeder, fence railing and post, etc to compare the size.

We see them year round on our feeders and know most of the time which is which because of their size compared the suet block they are eating from.

The length of the bill is more important when you see a single bird and/or you haven't seen them enough to judge their size. It is what we still use in the field to be sure. A Hairy's bill is about as long as it's head is from front to back. A Downy's is about half that length.

Just to add a little more to the fun. As others have stated, the males have the red on the 'back' of the head like your pictures.

In late summer when you see a bird with the red on the 'top' of the head don't get all excited as we did thinking it was something new.

Some of the males of both species can be that way their fledgling year.

Enjoy your birds. BnB

Looks like the birds approve the menu!

I would LOVE to have activity like that at my feeders! Lucky you....and thanks so much for sharing your photos, I really enjoyed them.

Bob, you've helped ingrain the difference into my memory. Thanks.

This birdfeeder/food is wonderful. There is soooo much activity (I'm feeding the entire valley it seems...) that it takes (2) bags a month to keep these guys happy & alive. It's literally amazing how many birds I see, all at once, usually. I can count 30 on and around the feeder, almost all the time.

You guys are great, thanks.

Dax

Cool pix there Dax!! You sure do have a lot of activity at that one feeder. I might be tempted to put another feeder close by. What the heck are you feeding for $80 per bag? Is that sunflower hearts?
As everyone else has noted, the Hairy Woodpecker is easily distinguised by the length and thickness of the bill. I only get the Downys in my yard, and their bills are much shorter and not as thick. Besides the birds you mention, I see that the House Finches are enjoying the seed, and I also see some House Sparrows(which in my opinion are pesky and hateful birds.)In picture #8, it looks as if the Bull House Finch is actually thinking of challenging the male Hairy WP. The House Sparrows really don't seem to be intimidated by much. You are really lucky to see so many species at this feeder. Congrats and keep up the great stewardship!! Please share more pics soon!~~Angie

Thanks Angie. I will indeed photograph more often. I set the tripod and camera in my kitchen sink and the feeder is maybe nine feet away. The birds are becoming more and more trusting of me. When I go outside in the morning to fill the feeder (sunflower hearts) there's singing and more and more birds are venturing closer to me... especially a Downy woodpecker. He will allow me to get near the feeder when he's on the railing before he flies off. Of course I enjoy greeting him and the other birds with a simple: "hello guys" or "good morning guys"

One question I have is the use of capitalization when talking about birds. I'm very well versed in trees/etc-

What is correct with birds, i.e.:
Northern Cardinal or Northern cardinal
White-breasted Nuthatch or White-breasted nuthatch

The "common names" of trees are always lower case, i.e.
fir, spruce, maple, oak, etc- Never Oak or Maple, etc-

Many thanks guys and gals!

Dax

No spelling expert here but I go by what my field guides and sites like enature use. They use Northern Cardinal and White-breasted Nuthatch so I assume that's right.

Thanks Bob.

Dax

Just want to say I enjoyed your pictures.

May I ask what brand of seed drew this kind of crowd?