Downy Woodpecker at birding birds bird-opedia

Downy Woodpecker

General description.

The Downy Woodpecker, the smallest woodpecker in North America, is found very commonly throughout the continent. Downy Woodpecker can often be found on trees drumming to alert others where they are and claim territory. The Downy Woodpecker finds its food on trees, eating mostly insects and their eggs. The Downy Woodpecker often nests in tree cavities, but will also nest in bird houses designed for woodpeckers. Downy Woodpeckers are widespread and common throughout North America, basically anywhere and everywhere there are trees. The male Downy Woodpecker has a patch of red on its head, a white belly, and black wings with white spots. You will often find the make and female pairs climbing together.

Female appearance.

Similar to males, but lacking the red patch. Females also have a large white patch on their back.

Juvenile appearance.

Similar to adults, but the red patch is on the top if the head and not the back.

Flight pattern.

Roller Coaster.

Breeding habits.

Monogamous.

Calls or song.

pik or pick

Population and distribution.

Widespread and common.

Nesting habits.

The Downy Woodpecker nests in a tree lays 3-7 white eggs in April.

Buying feeders.

Downy Woodpecker will feed readily from suet and tube feeders.

Similar birds:

	Red-bellied Woodpecker
	Red-cockaded Woodpecker
	Nuttall's Woodpecker
	Ladder-backed Woodpecker
	Hairy Woodpecker

Birds in the same Family:

	Acorn Woodpecker
	Black-backed Woodpecker
	Gila Woodpecker
	Gilded Flicker
	Golden-fronted Woodpecker
	Great Spotted Woodpecker
	Hairy Woodpecker
	Ivory-billed Woodpecker
	Ladder-backed Woodpecker
	Lewis's Woodpecker
	Northern Flicker
	Nuttall's Woodpecker
	Pileated Woodpecker
	Red-bellied Woodpecker
	Red-breasted Sapsucker
	Red-cockaded Woodpecker
	Red-headed Woodpecker
	Red-naped Sapsucker
	Strickland's Woodpecker
	White-headed Woodpecker
	Williamson's Sapsucker
	Yellow-bellied Sapsucker