This afternoon in my back yard I discovered a Downy and a Hairy on the suet
feeder together. I rarely see Hairy WP though I hear them fairly often.
Anyway, this is the first time I have seen them close together. The
contrast was amazing. The Hairy looked huge in comparison. She stayed for
several minutes while the surprised Downy was trying to scare her away by
spreading his wings in a threatening manner. The Hairy took no notice so the
Downy decided to back off a bit and wait. The Downy WPs are used to having
the suet all to themselves (until the Starlings show up). The Red-bellies
are more interested in the seed feeders.
Nancy Young
Blue Ridge
Botetourt County
