Today I thought I would share some photos I got of recent visitors to our bird feeders. The big pileated woodpeckers have been almost daily visitors, and they are quite a sight when they show up since they are so big. There are at least two, since I’ve seen both a male and female feeding on the suet cakes. They seem to prefer the feeder with the tail rest, and I try and keep it stocked up for them and the other visitors. The male and female birds look nearly alike, except the male has a splash of red on his cheeks.
female Pileated Woodpecker
male Pileated Woodpecker
They also occasionally visit the suet ball feeder, though they seem to have a harder time hanging on to it.
Pileated Woodpecker at suet ball feeder
The small Downy Woodpeckers seem to do well on all the suet feeders we have out. They are the smallest North American woodpecker, while the Pileated Woodpecker is the largest.
Downy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
I sometimes see several birds feeding at once, and even some waiting in line for their chance. We have chickadees, goldfinches, cardinals, house finches and bluebirds as regular visitors here.
bluebird and finches
bluebirds, cardinal and finches
The Red-Bellied Woodpecker is another frequent visitor, usually chowing down on suet at one of the feeders.
Red-Bellied Woodpecker
I hope you have enjoyed seeing photos of some of the visitors to our feeders here in late winter. I’ll be back soon with more happenings from Happy Acres!
And no squirrels or are the protective devices edited out?
We have squirrels, but I use a hot pepper treatment on the seeds that keeps them away.