Black and White bird

There is a bird that I have never seen before, until a few weeks ago when i put out one of those Suet blocks.
The bird comes every day, but I just can't get a photo of it.

He/She is quite striking. only black and white, and with wings spread, they look like jagged stripes.

anyone know what this could be? oh and it's smaller than a Cardinal but bigger than a sparrow.

I've tried searching for "black and white" bird... but i come up empty.

what would be a good source to check out.

and i will try to get a photo -- but usually when i open the door, it takes off.

TIA,

terese

tried downy woodpecker?

It might be a woodpecker. THere are several that have black and white stripes.. Search under downy woodpecker or hairy woodpecker

gmta Sally

Here's a pic of a female Downy.

Marilyn

Here's a photo of a Hairy. Notice the longer beak of the Hairy.

A photo showing the beak of the Downy so you can compare.

Here's a pic I took in Jan. of the male Downy.

thanks.... It's either the female Downy (there is no red on her) or the Hairy.

I'll pay more attention next time i see it.

THANKS.

terese

Terese,

I've read and/or heard the saying, "if you can 'see' the beak, then it's a Hairy".

I saw him this morning hanging out on the suet cakes... it's a male downy.
I can only see him with binoculars as the feeds far away -- but today he hung around long enough for me to get a good look at him.

very pretty bird....and i was glad to see something other than the squirrels eating the cakes.

Marilyn--nice pics of your WPs!

One more point to the ID question--the Hairy Woodpeckers are generally larger than the Downy WPs.