I don't have the right equipment for avian photography, though I will keep trying to see if I can get any shots with the equipment I do have, and this one without all the twigs might have been okay. But I thought any of you who might remember the woodpecker image I posted shortly after I first joined, with the woodpecker with food for the baby, might like to see the baby. :)
Posted by Mia McPherson on October 6, 2010 at 9:46 AM
Barbara,
I believe this is an adult male downy, a juvenile wouldn't have red on the nape but would have some red on the crown according to The Sibley Guide to Birds. Getting that book would help you alot with bird ID since you are interested in photographing them. Jim DeWitt and Rich Ditch co-authored an article on bird reference books for NPN, you can find that here
Posted by NATUREALI on October 6, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Barbara,
Nice shot of an adult male Downy Woodpecker. This is a common woodpecker in Florida. The female would have no red on the head. A juvenile right out of the nest would have some down feathers, otherwise a juvenile and an adult female look identical and can't be told apart unless in the hand.
Other woodpeckers that are in your area include; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and Northern Flicker. Very locally in Apalachicola National Forest you can also find Red-cockaded Woodpecker.
To learn birds I would suggest going on field trips with the local Audubon chapter and also buying a book. Photographing the birds helps you learn birds faster than just looking at them, but being with more experienced birders is always a bonus.
Thank you so much for your kind words and the information even though you guys must think I'm a complete idiot. :) I really appreciate it. One of these days hopefully I'll be able to repay you with a not only suitable but correctly identified bird photograph, and you'll know that it is due completely to your help. Thank you again.
Discussion
3 repliesI believe this is an adult male downy, a juvenile wouldn't have red on the nape but would have some red on the crown according to The Sibley Guide to Birds. Getting that book would help you alot with bird ID since you are interested in photographing them. Jim DeWitt and Rich Ditch co-authored an article on bird reference books for NPN, you can find that here
Nice shot of an adult male Downy Woodpecker. This is a common woodpecker in Florida. The female would have no red on the head. A juvenile right out of the nest would have some down feathers, otherwise a juvenile and an adult female look identical and can't be told apart unless in the hand.
Other woodpeckers that are in your area include; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, and Northern Flicker. Very locally in Apalachicola National Forest you can also find Red-cockaded Woodpecker.
To learn birds I would suggest going on field trips with the local Audubon chapter and also buying a book. Photographing the birds helps you learn birds faster than just looking at them, but being with more experienced birders is always a bonus.