Mission Statement
The
Loess Hills Audubon Society exists to educate individuals and the general public, to
enjoy and promote birding, to support ornithology, and to be an advocate for wild areas and environmental issues. |
"Loess Hills Audubon Society is a Chapter of National Audubon Society, Inc."
Last Month's Bird Of The Month

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Downy Woodpecker |
The active little Downy Woodpecker
is a familiar sight at backyard feeders and in parks and woodlots, where it joins flocks of chickadees and nuthatches, barely
outsizing them. An often acrobatic forager, this black-and-white woodpecker is at home on tiny branches or balancing on slender
plant galls, sycamore seed balls, and suet feeders. Where they occur, Downy Woodpeckers are the most likely woodpecker species
to visit a backyard bird feeder. They prefer suet feeders, but are also fond of black oil sunflower seeds, millet, peanuts,
and chunky peanut butter. In winter Downy Woodpeckers are frequent members of mixed species flocks. Advantages of flocking
include having to spend less time watching out for predators and better luck finding food from having other birds around.
Their rising-and-falling flight style is distinctive of many woodpeckers. Can be found locally year round at feeders and open
woodlands.
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