We are often visited by our non-avian friends here at the Bird Station. Some arrive as masked "thieves" in the night while others waltz right in and make themselves at home in broad daylight. Either way, all are welcome...at least until the deer get tired of birdseed and start in on every plant,shrub and tree in the yard!

I received a reply from Cornell University Ornithology lab regarding my inquiry about the oddly colored woodpecker I recently snapped on the Bird Cam. I suppose their theory is possible. Here it is:

Dear Chris,
The bird in your photo is a female Downy Woodpecker. The brown wash on the belly is most likely caused by whatever roost hole the bird was using. It does make the identification more challenging, though. Learn more about this small woodpecker at www.allaboutbirds.org.
I wanted to let you know about the newest feature to All About Birds. It's called Inside Birding and it provides tips from two expert birders on how to be an even better birder. Visit www.allaboutbirds.org to learn more.

Anne Hobbs
Public Information Specialist
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
http://www.birds.cornell.edu