woodie help please.

[mrbright]

my solitary woodie has recently gained an admirer, can someone tell me if its possible to id male/female as i cant see any difference, however one is following the other cocking his/her behind in the air head to the floor and making some strange growling noises. they do this blatantly no more than 3 feet from myself (have they no shame?)

ps. i happen to love woodies (in small doses) and am quite happy to feed the greedy blighters.

[The Woodman]

Originally Posted by mrbright

ps. i happen to love woodies (in small doses) and am quite happy to feed the greedy blighters.

Thanks for the sentiment, mrbright, I love you too.

Woodie

[dave midi]

Mrbright

If it's the Great Spotted Woodpecker (black n white, not green) then it's quite easy to tell the gender.
The male has a red bit on the back of his head where as the female doesn't.
The juveniles start out with a red bit on top of their heads and when seen are usually the same size as the adults.

[The Woodman]

But if they're woodpigeons, the one in the rear making all the dipping head movements is the male.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by dave midi

Mrbright

If it's the Great Spotted Woodpecker (black n white, not green) then it's quite easy to tell the gender.
The male has a red bit on the back of his head where as the female doesn't.
The juveniles start out with a red bit on top of their heads and when seen are usually the same size as the adults.

I think he's talking about Wood Pigeons! That was my interpretation anyway. Similar plumages, male probably slightly heavier, but best told apart from watching their behaviour.

[shenk1]

Just keep watching ----if he cracks the case you'll soon know which is which

[dave midi]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I think he's talking about Wood Pigeons! That was my interpretation anyway. Similar plumages, male probably slightly heavier, but best told apart from watching their behaviour.

I'm sorry, when I hear 'woody' or in this case I did wonder about the spelling (woodie) I thought he was talking about Woodpeckers.

Pigeons or wood pigeons I have another name for, but I don't think the filter will allow me to type it

[mrbright]

thanks all, sorry dave should have stated pigeons, unfortunately i will never get a woodpecker in my little garden (maybe in a bottle) i have to go to my parents for such exotica, of which they attract plenty.
i must say i am surprised that the one showing off its nether reasons was a male, i would have thought otherwise, they are truly funny birds to watch though,and as you stated about your robin s1, these are my very own personal woodies.

[shenk1]

I love it when they chase each other round the garden - I can't help but sing the Benny Hill theme tune