Q: Or is this a female or a type of woodpecker?

Jan 18, 2009

This is a downy woodpecker. I do not know if it is male or female

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Jan 18, 2009

this is a downy for sure! a male ! the female has no red...
they are frequent visitors to our feeder and enjoy the suet the most...we participate in the Audobon Society annual feeder bird count...hope you will too!

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Jan 18, 2009

Depending on its size, it is a MALE Downy or Hairy Woodpecker. The females in this type have NO red on the nape.

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Jan 18, 2009

I believe that males are much more vibrant in color than the females. So if you see two similar birds hopefully that can give you a better idea of male/female.

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Jan 18, 2009

I have no idea...I think that in most bird species the male is much more colorful than the female in order to distract predators that might go after the nest with the female and eggs or babies. I am wondering now if some are identical or if there are species that have a brighter male. Good question!

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