Breeding Location:
Forests, coniferous, Forest edge
Breeding Type:
Monogamous
Breeding Population:
Widespread
Egg Color:
White
Number of Eggs:
3 - 7
Incubation Days:
12
Egg Incubator:
Both sexes
Nest Material:
Cavity lined with chips.
Migration:
Nonmigratory
|
BEYOND THE BACKYARD... |
|
800+ BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA |
|
FORUMS - ID HELP -
ARTICLES - FREE SOFTWARE - MUCH MORE |
If you
like the Project Wildbird ID Engine you may want to check out the
WhatBird North America database - the gold standard of bird identification
that Project Wildbird is based on.
Whatbird.com - a commercial web site -
offers the same search capability for every bird in North America,
including rare and vagrants, shorebirds, raptors, even extinct species.
You'll find the same outstanding illustrations, bird calls, plus these features:
Browse Birds -
view birds by location, shape, color, size, etc.
Bird Expert - guides you ID with simple questions
Forum -
Visit our Identification Forum and get personal answers from our
ornithologists David Lukas and Simone Whitecloud.
|
| FORUMS - ID HELP -
ARTICLES - FREE SOFTWARE - MUCH MORE |
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.
Breeding and 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.
Foraging and Feeding
Downy Woodpecker: Diet consists of insects and seeds; male forages higher in tree than female; feeds on suet at feeders.
Readily Eats
Suet, Sunflower Seed, Nuts, Sugar Water, Fruit
Vocalization
Downy Woodpecker: Song is a quiet "pik"; also a descending rattle.
Similar Species
Downy Woodpecker: Hairy Woodpecker is larger, has a longer bill, and lacks spots or bars.
.