John Hamil Photographs

Juvenile Downy Woodpecker

Every year there are recently fledged Downy's being introduced the canopy and to the feeders in our yard. The adult males and females appear to be equally as diligent with this responsibility. It seems that our suet feeder is the one of the first sources that the parents use to lure their young to a place to forage for themselves but these juveniles are quick to learn to scour throught the canopy on their own. The age of juvenile males can be judged by the development of the red crown first as grows small red feathers then as it moves from the front of their head to the back.