Thursday, April 23, 2009

Male Downy Woodpecker

Male Downy WoodpeckerHere I am, The Everyday Adventurer, back from my dreadful journey in evil computer land. Even though I escaped back here to my natural surroundings, a few stray computer bugs followed me, and they seem to enjoy chewing on my leg. It might take me awhile to brush them all off.

I'm finally back to take you on a new journey through a forest full of natural wonders. Today we're going to look at a nice little animal that I see almost every time. It's not those attention begging geese, that will dance for a treat. It's not the frightened deer, that will turn to fight if you follow them too much. And it's definitely not those ill tempered little squirrels, that will become infuriated just because we're in their forest.

This time it's a Downy Woodpecker! But wait, you say we've seen these before. Well, I have to admit that you're definitely right. We have seen these once before, but don't be so quick to make a judgment. You only have part of the story. The rest is something special.

Male Downy WoodpeckerWhat could be so special about this particular woodpecker that wasn't about the other one? Well, they're both equally special. There is a major difference though. The other story saw the very first look at one of these noisy little birds. We have another first look here too.

This downy woodpecker happens to be a male bird. The other was a female. What's so special about that? There are males and females of every animal. The key to this is how we tell the difference. Take a look at a goose and see if you can tell the difference between the two. I can't Can you?

For these downy woodpeckers there is a nice easy way to find out whether you're looking at a male or a female. Take a look at the back of this bird's head. Have you guessed it yet? There is a deep red sideways stripe there. Any downy woodpecker that has that stripe is a male. The female does not have it.

Male Downy WoodpeckerSo next time you're in the forest, and you here a familiar rat-a-tat-tat sound coming from the trees, it's probably a woodpecker. These downy woodpeckers are one of the most common. If this is what you see, you can tell any person with you whether it's a male or a female.

After revealing this great knowledge of nature, you'll either come across as a nature genius, or you'll get mercilessly teased for being a nature geek. I have gotten both reactions. The praise is great, but even the teasing can be fun if you know how to take it well. Either way, you now have a small bit of information that you can share with others.

That's the end of our trip for today. Make sure you take your new found imagination home with you. It's a very valuable gift I have given you, and you can use it for many different things. Who knows what amazing adventures it could take you on?

11 comments:

  1. Ratty now you are talking, I always have a soft spot for woodpeckers. Which might well make me a nature geek.

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  2. Seriously, I am amazed that you could update the photo blog on the daily basis

    Great images of nature and it is really soothing to see over this end of world

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  3. He looked huge.....are you sure it wasn't a Pileated Woodpecker?

    The Retirement Chronicles

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  4. It is easier to diffentiate between male and female than to identify the name of that animals/birds...
    Male is always beautiful and colourful than female. Am I right?

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  5. I've been trying to catch a photo of a Downy but either they're too high up and half hidden by branches or they fly off. Your photo is a Downy for sure - Pileated have a much more pointed head that Woody Woodpecker must have been modeled after.

    I think a lot males with a mate have a red stripe. We get them from our better halves when we need a good smack up side the head.

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  6. Good job catching one of these! I almost "caught" a Flicker yesterday, but it flew before I could get close enough. Well, I hadn't paid attention to the male/female thing on the Downies. Now I will have to start watching for that. Nature Geeks Unite!

    OH... I've heard on TV that Woody Woodpecker was modeled on the Ivory Billed now (probably) extinct.

    Oh WOW, as I was just ready to post this the Flicker landed in my yard again. I got one picture, but I don't think it will be good enough to show. I'll keep trying!

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  7. wow, those are close shots of the wood pecker. I almost had my chance of taking a nice shot of a dainty yellow bird in front of me yesterday, sadly, I did not have a camera :( I usually research for the name of my catch whether it be a flower or bird or fish or geological feature so i can talk about it, i do not know if that will classify me as nature geek as well, hahah.

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  8. I have two woodpeckers that frequent my yard--I leave out suet for them. The downy's are so darned noisy!

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  9. That is special to be able to capture these beautiful feathered friends. Thanks for the info on them as well. I always learn something new here :)

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  10. Mike - I've liked them too, ever since I knew about them. Being a nature geek is one of the best kinds of geeks to be.
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    Roentarre - It's not always easy. I came very close to missing a day yesterday. I hope I can keep updating every day, I enjoy it a lot.
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    The Retired One - The size is deceptive. I just got a very closeup picture, and that tree trunk is much smaller than it looks. He's a fat one though, isn't he?
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    Rainfield - You are definitely right. Even human males have more hair than the females. For some reason that's considered repulsive. I tend to agree, except for myself of course. I wonder what other animals think of their males appearance.
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    WiseAcre - There are too many of these woodpeckers here to get away for long. You're definitely right, he's too small to be a pileated. I was just very close.

    Females seem to have a natural head slapping instinct, although I knew one who liked to pinch instead.
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    Sharkbytes - I only discovered this by accident. I was so close to it, and the first one I saw didn't have the red, so I decided to find out why. If that isn't the mark of a nature geek, I don't know what is. It's the best kind of geek to be.

    Woody is what I think of when I think of woodpeckers.

    You should post your picture anyway. Sometimes the description to a bad picture is fun too.
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    Betchai - I saw a little yellow bird last year, and I still look for it. I keep seeing hawks whenever I'm without my camera. Doing so much research definitely classifies you as a nature geek. You should be proud. It's the best kind of geek to be. :)
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    Lin - The noise is what I live about woodpecker, but then I never had any right outside my house. I love hearing their hammering sound in the forest.
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    Poetic Shutterbug - I'm just glad to be able to go to places that have creatures like them. Sharing any information is just an added bonus for me.

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  11. It's always the case, Ratty, the male birds get to be the most attractive, in their fancy attire, or they're more colorful, etc. It just doesn't seem fair to the ladies!!!

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