Hi Tweeters.

Kathy K wrote:
<<I have come across a mystery. With all the Downys bringing around their
young
, to feed on the suet, and the frequent adult males too', why do I see red
patches on the back of some males and a red patch on the front of some
others???
I have convinced myself it is the Young males that wear the top red patch,
thus growing further back with age to the back of head. Is this true??? My
bird books do not give any descrip. for a young male. Any help out there??
In My Yard Lately:>>

I noticed this red patch on the crown of baby Downy WP's a few years ago when
my first family appeared. I believe I read somewhere that young downies of
either sex have a faint red crown patch. I have had a family nesting for the
last 4 years, and this year have 2 families. Two things I've noticed: The
male Downy seems to always be the one to bring the young to the suet, and
every young bird has had the crown patch, sometimes quite faint. I'll be
curious to see other responses to your question. It's been great fun this
year seeing the interactions of the 2 males.

This year I also have a Hairy WP family, and a voracious Flicker. Together
with all the baby CB & BC Chickadees and Nuthatches, these birds are eating a
cake of suet every 3 days!
Cathy Mohns
Mill Creek
catsafari at aol.com