Downy Woodpecker

Picoides pubescensOrder: PICIFORMESFamily: Woodpeckers (Picidae)

Overview

Downy Woodpecker: The smallest woodpecker in North America. Has a white back, black nape and black wings with white spotting. Underparts are white. Face is white with black stripes. Hindcrown patch is red. Tail is black with black-spotted or barred white outer tail feathers. Bill is black and short.

Range and Habitat

Downy Woodpecker: Resident from Alaska across Canada and south throughout the U.S. except in the southwest. Preferred habitats include woodlands, parks, and gardens.

Listen:

Voice Text

"pik"

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Bird Call Credits: The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Martyn Stewart, Redmond, Washington USA. The reuse or copying of bird calls in this database is strictly forbidden.

Downy Woodpecker

● Song: "pik"

● Foraging & Feeding: Downy Woodpecker: Diet consists of insects and seeds; male forages higher in tree than female; feeds on suet at feeders.

● Breeding & nesting: Downy Woodpecker: Three to seven white eggs are laid in a bare hole in a tree. Eggs are incubated for approximately 12 days by both parents.

● Similar species: Downy Woodpecker: Hairy Woodpecker is larger, has a longer bill, and lacks spots or bars.

Flight Pattern

Rapidly beating wings., Undulating flight.

● Range & Habitat: Downy Woodpecker: Resident from Alaska across Canada and south throughout the U.S. except in the southwest. Preferred habitats include woodlands, parks, and gardens.

^BreedingMonogamous

^PopulationWidespread

^MigrationNonmigratory

^Weight1 Ounces

Field Guide to Birds of North America