December 2015/January 2016

Beginning Birder  |  Get Linked In

Downy Woodpecker
Picoides pubescens

This active little woodpecker should be showing up around your feeders right about now. You might also see him at a local park or woodland joining flocks of chickadees and nuthatches. He often moves about in funny ways, upside-down and sideways and can balance on tiny branches and twigs. If you put out some suet, the Downy Woodpecker might stop by for some supper! He has a larger look-alike, the Hairy Woodpecker, and learning to identify the difference between these two woodpeckers is a challenge for beginning birders to master. Can you look up a picture of the Hairy Woodpecker and find things that are the same and different between the two birds?

Fun Facts

• Right about now, in the winter, Downy Woodpeckers often join flocks of other birds. This helps them to look out for predators and find food.
• The Downy Woodpecker likes to eat insects living on or in the stems of weeds. You might see them hammering at goldenrod galls to get the fly larvae inside.
• Woodpeckers don’t sing songs, but they drum loudly on wood or metal to get their message across.
• They eat pests like the corn earworm, tent caterpillars, and apple borers. If you put out suet, millet, peanuts, chunky peanut butter and black oil sunflower seeds at your feeder, they might stop by.
• If you live close to Freeport, you can track this woodpecker and other birds by participating in the Christmas Bird Count Feeder Count. See the NIAS Dec./Jan. newsletter, page 5 for more information about this fun activity.

* Some information taken from Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Check it out!

Children, Nature and You Resources to help you give the children you influence the awe and wonder that only the natural world can inspire

Freeport Park District Information on all the Freeport parks

Freeport Public Library More than books on a shelf...visit the Freeport Public Library

Freeport Outdoor Experience Events located in Freeport and Stephenson County

Getting Kids Involved (The Cornell Lab of Ornithology) Includes bird information, tips, and more for kids and families

Jane Addams Recreation Trail Ride or Hike the beautiful Jane Addams Trail

Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots A program of the Jane Goodall Institute offering a variety of programs and resources

NASA Climate Kids to tell the story of our changing planet through the eyes of NASA missions studying Earth and provides games, activities, and articles that make climate science accessible and engaging for children

National Audubon for Kids provides resources for classroom curriculum, DIY activities, and bird activities for children at home

National Wildlife Federation Many family-friendly articles; Ranger Rick family magazine

Resource Guide Supplement to Last Child in the Woods Designed for parents, teachers, and community leaders to help them encourage children’s enjoyment of the great outdoors.

Severson Dells Nature Center Located near Rockford, IL.

Sierra Club Outdoors The program's goal is to give every child in America an outdoor experience.

World Migratory Bird Day Learn about the importance of migratory birds and how to celebrate birds any day of the year!