After 12 days in an egg, about a month in the nest cavity, and only a couple days hanging around with parents outside the nest, these two immature Hairy Woodpeckers are discovering the world on their own now.
I saw my first Hairy Woodpecker fledgling of the year - perhaps this female - being fed by a parent just 3 days ago. I've watched these young birds make some clumsy landings on a wire, in a tree and on the feeders. I saw both of them fluttering as they learned that they can't land on the side of a baffle (it kinda looks like a tree trunk, doesn't it??). I saw the female get spooked off a wire by a much smaller Downy Woodpecker.
Immature female Hairy Woodpecker (digiscoped image)
The young birds are bright and white, unruffled, already about full size, and look healthy and well-fed. Their parents are looking a bit worn, a little less-than-white, ruffled, a little skinny. All those trips in and out of the nest hole put a lot of wear-and-tear on feathers. It takes a lot out of a parent (bird or human) to raise a brood.
Immature male Hairy Woodpecker
Immature male Hairy Woodpeckers have red on the TOP of their head versus the back of the head of the adult male. This young male's red is just barely there at all. By later this summer, it will be on the back of the head and probably a lot brighter.
Just a little red on top of this immature's head
The red is on back of the head of the adult male hairy (digiscoped image)
Look for these characteristics to help you identify immature Hairy (as well as Downy) Woodpeckers. Then enjoy their youthful behaviors and watching them learn to survive in the big wide world!
Mick - the young of any species are SO fun to observe! Thanks for your comment.
Bob K. - thanks much and happy birding.
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | June 23, 2009 at 01:56 PM
Great shots of the young Hairy. This is one species that I have yet to see in person. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: bob k | June 21, 2009 at 10:46 PM
How nice to be able to watch the young ones, and to get photos as well!
Posted by: Mick | June 21, 2009 at 02:59 PM
Wren - they're clumsy but that's what makes it so cool to watch. Thanks for visiting.
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | June 21, 2009 at 12:31 PM
I love watching the babies of all species learn not just to fly, but to land and perch. These are adorable - my favorite photo is the third, with the open beak. I can imagine the little one is smiling.
Posted by: Wren | June 21, 2009 at 10:20 AM
I see you put out special logs for the woodpeckers. How cool.
Posted by: gwendolen | June 21, 2009 at 07:22 AM
DawnFine - thanks Dawn. They're so fun to see, you NEVER tire of it!
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | June 18, 2009 at 08:36 AM
Thanks for posting these photos..It is nice to see what the young birds look like..
Posted by: Dawn Fine | June 18, 2009 at 08:29 AM
LNMP - Thanks Ellen. Just think of all the youngsters yet to see!
MaineBirder - You're way ahead of me with fledglings then. Get some good shots out there, okay?
Posted by: The Zen Birdfeeder | June 17, 2009 at 09:56 PM
Beautiful shots! It is fun watching them.
Our yard has been very busy with fledglings: Hairy and Downy WP's, Pine Siskins, Purple Finches, White and Red-breasted Nuthatches and Tufted Titmice. Hard to keep up!
Posted by: MaineBirder | June 17, 2009 at 04:47 PM
Nice pictures! We have young Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, too. It's fun to watch these nearly full-size birds begging noisily. The woodpeckers are usually among the first to bring their young ones to our feeders.
Posted by: LNMP | June 17, 2009 at 09:57 AM