Downy Woodpecker
Least ConcernDryobates pubescens
Visual Identification
Downy Woodpecker
Appearance
The Downy Woodpecker is a small, compact bird with a straight, chisel-like bill and stiff tail feathers. Its plumage is primarily black and white, with a white back, belly, and outer tail feathers. The wings display white spots, creating a checkered pattern when folded.
Males have a small red patch on the back of their head, which females lack. Juveniles resemble adults but may have a red or yellowish crown patch.
Size
Length
14cm to 18cm
Wingspan
25cm to 30cm
Weight
21g to 28g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Downy Woodpeckers are widely distributed across North America, from Alaska to Florida. They inhabit deciduous and mixed forests, woodland edges, orchards, and urban areas with mature trees. These adaptable birds are also common in suburban environments with sufficient tree cover.
Downy Woodpeckers are year-round residents in the United States and Canada, maintaining their territories throughout the seasons. They are particularly prevalent in the eastern and central regions of both countries.
Elevation Range
Up to 2,750 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subarctic
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Downy Woodpeckers primarily feed on insects, particularly wood-boring beetle larvae, ants, and caterpillars. They also consume a variety of seeds, berries, and nuts, especially in winter.
These birds are known for their ability to extract insects from narrow crevices in bark using their specialized tongues.
Behaviour
Downy Woodpeckers are agile climbers, often seen spiraling up tree trunks or along branches in search of food. They are known for their rapid drumming on trees for foraging and communication. These birds are generally solitary but may form loose flocks with other small birds during winter months.
Vocalisation
Downy Woodpeckers have a variety of calls and sounds. Their most common vocalization is a short, sharp 'pik' or 'pick' note. During the breeding season, males produce a rhythmic drumming sound, rapidly striking trees or other resonant surfaces. This drumming serves as both a territorial signal and a form of communication between mates.
Nesting & Breeding
Downy Woodpeckers form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, typically in late winter or early spring. Courtship involves drumming displays and chasing flights. Males often initiate nest excavation to attract females.
Nests are excavated in dead trees or branches, usually 3-15 meters above ground. The cavity is roughly 15-30 cm deep and 6-8 cm wide. Females lay 3-6 white eggs, which both parents incubate.
Incubation lasts about 12 days, with nestlings remaining in the cavity for 18-21 days before fledging. Both parents feed and care for the young for several weeks after leaving the nest.
Lifespan
years
The Downy Woodpecker typically lives for 2 to 5 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
Downy Woodpeckers are currently listed as Least Concern due to their large range and stable population. However, they face challenges from habitat loss and fragmentation in urban areas.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving mature trees and promoting diverse forest structures to maintain suitable habitats.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Downy Woodpeckers in wooded areas, parks, and backyard gardens
- Listen for their distinctive 'pik' call or rapid drumming on trees
- Observe their foraging behavior on small branches and twigs
- Attract them to your yard with suet feeders or peanut butter
- Note their small size to distinguish them from the similar but larger Hairy Woodpecker
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Downy
Family:
PicidaePredators
Downy Woodpeckers face predation from hawks, owls, and occasionally domestic cats. Their eggs and nestlings are vulnerable to snakes, raccoons, and larger woodpeckers.
Did You Know?
- Downy Woodpeckers have zygodactyl feet, with two toes facing forward and two backward, perfect for gripping tree bark.
- They have exceptionally long tongues extending up to 4 cm beyond the tip of their bill.
- Downy Woodpeckers often join mixed-species flocks in winter, benefiting from increased foraging efficiency and predator detection.
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FAQs
What attracts Downy Woodpeckers?
Birdwatchers can attract Downy Woodpeckers by hanging out suet cage feeders. They will also visit other bird feeders to snack on oily, energy-rich foods like peanut butter and sunflower seeds. A native woodland-style garden will also attract these entertaining birds, along with many songbird species.
What trees do Downy Woodpeckers prefer?
Downy Woodpeckers forage on a wide variety of trees, although they definitely prefer deciduous species over conifers. They are commonly seen feeding and nesting in trees like maples, willows, aspens, beeches, cottonwoods, and birch trees.
Do Downy Woodpeckers harm trees?
Downy Woodpeckers usually do not harm trees. They prefer to excavate nesting and roosting chambers in trees that are already dead or on limbs that are dead or dying from fungal infections.
Do Downy Woodpeckers go to bird feeders?
Downy Woodpeckers are regular visitors to bird feeders in backyards across North America. They feed from various feeder styles but are best adapted to hang from suet feeders and mesh tube feeders.
Will a Downy Woodpecker drink from a hummingbird feeder?
Downy Woodpeckers have a sweet tooth. These birds are known to feed on nectar from hummingbird feeders, but only if there’s a spot for them to cling or perch.
Why is a Downy Woodpecker pecking my house?
Unfortunately, Downy Woodpeckers are known to peck on houses for various reasons, including:
- Nest/roost site excavation
- Drumming
- Feeding
Downy Woodpeckers drill holes to make a cozy chamber for nesting or sleeping at night. They also peck to make noise because timber walls provide a resonant surface for attracting a mate or deterring other woodpeckers in the area. Lastly, woodpeckers might peck on rotten or untreated timber to access woodboring beetle larvae living in the wood.
Similar Birds
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Dryobates pubescens. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22681155A92894756.
View source - 2 3
report, 2007: Butcher and Niven