Wandering around Campbell Valley Park a while ago , I came upon this Downy Woodpecker, pecking at the leaf buds of these plants.
Downy Woodpeckers are often a quick view as they move through the trees, so this was a rare treat. I watched him for about 10 minutes.
Downy Woodpecker
There are four common woodpeckers in this the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.
The splendid Pileated Woodpecker is the largest at 16 – 18 inches long.
Next comes the Northern Flicker.
This lovely bird uses tapping to claim a territory and a mate and the noisier the better, so these are the ones you hear banging on a metal chimney or a vent in the spring.
The Hairy Woodpecker is similar to the Downy, but slightly larger and has a longer beak.
If you hear tapping close by, stop and wait and you will often locate “Woody”!
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