Downy Woodpecker - Ladner Reach, BC
This small woodpecker is a regular visitor to feeders around North America. It has a very similar cousin named the Hairy woodpecker and can be sometimes dificult to tell the difference between the two. Two sure signs are the size of the bill in relation to its head. The Downy has a "cute" beak where as the Hairy has a large beak. The other is the lack of or presence of black markings under the tail. See the comparison with this Hairy photo. This bird was checking out the peanut feeders in the parking lot in Ladner Harbour Park.