Bird ID

[Mayfly]

Does anyone know what kind of bird this is??

Thanks.

[Fawkinnae]

Downy or Hairy Woodpecker. They're very similar. The Hairy is bigger. Probably a little bigger than (hey there's that word) a robin. Downy is more like the size of a nuthatch or Chickadee.

Also if you watch carefully the Downy will occasionally strike a yoga pose. A signature bird.

[kayaker]

I agree with the last poster and I think he hit the nail right on the
Fawkinnae head. The small one in your picture is a female downy woodpecker and the large one is a female hairy woodpecker. The males have a patch of bright red on their heads. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that loves to watch the birds.   

[Lee Borgersen]

Listen to the downy woodpecker here.
http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/177/_/Downy_Woodpecker.aspx

[Mayfly]

I have always liked birds. When I was young my favorite book that my grandma had was her bird book...after she passed away I got one of hers

Anyways. I have put a few feeders up and have been watching. Those little birds are always there. They have been eating my black sunflowers. They also dine on my mix seed.

I will spend some time tomorrow eyeing up the feeders and see what comes in.

[Lee Borgersen]

Check out this site about birds I think you'll like it.
http://www.whatbird.com/

[Mayfly]

Thanks!

I have been using this one:



http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/

[Realtree]

We have had some of these at our feeder last fall. Thanks for the Bird links guys. I added them to my fav folder. We have a feeder in front of our pic window and are gonna put a couple more up with diff feeds to attract some other birds to watch soon.

[Fawkinnae]

A personal favorite.

[kayaker]

Don't forget the nector feeders. Get youself a combination
Humming bird- Oriole feeder. The kids will love watching them. You don't have to buy the expensive nector mixes they sell in the store to fill them. Just mix 1 cup sugar with 2 cups water and stir it as you bring it to a boil. Then let it cool and put it in your feeder. I've been using this recipe for years and always have hummers and orioles at my feeder. If your just starting out feeding birds, it may take some time for them to find your feeders but once they know it's there, they'll come back year after year as long as you keep it full.    

[Mayfly]

Don't forget the nector feeders. Get youself a combination
Humming bird- Oriole feeder. The kids will love watching them. You don't have to buy the expensive nector mixes they sell in the store to fill them. Just mix 1 cup sugar with 2 cups water and stir it as you bring it to a boil. Then let it cool and put it in your feeder. I've been using this recipe for years and always have hummers and orioles at my feeder. If your just starting out feeding birds, it may take some time for them to find your feeders but once they know it's there, they'll come back year after year as long as you keep it full.    

That is what my Grandma did....add food coloring

[Woody]

I was told the food coloring isn't good for them.  So we have all red humminbird feeders, and orange oriole feeders.  No need to color the nectar.  Also many of the prepackaged nectars don't have coloring anymore.

* I could be wrong...I'm often wrong! 

[kayaker]

I've heard that food coloring isn't good for the too but I don't know if it's true. I've always left it clear and have had good results. I think woody is right. If you have some bright color on your feeder, thats all it takes to bring them in.