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Downy Woodpecker

Picoides pubescensOrder: PICIFORMESFamily: Woodpeckers (Picidae)
Downy Woodpecker Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: All-purpose
  • Eye color: Red iris
  • Head Pattern: Eyeline, Capped, Striped, Special (unique patterns or features), Malar or malar stripe
  • Crown color: Blue, Red, White
  • Forehead color: White, Gray
  • Nape Color: Black
  • Throat color: White
  • Cere color:
Splitbar
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Downy Woodpecker Body Illustration

Body

  • Length Range: 17-17 cm (6.75-7 in)
  • Weight: 28 g (1 oz)
  • Size: Size 2. Small (5 - 9 in)
  • Color: Red, White, Black
  • Underparts: White
  • Upperparts: Black with white spotting.
  • Back Pattern: Solid
  • Belly Pattern: Solid
  • Breast Pattern: Solid
Downy Woodpecker Flight Illustration

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Rapidly beating wings., Undulating flight.
  • Wingspan Range: 27-30 cm (11-12 in)
  • Wing Shape: Rounded-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Squared Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Barred
  • Upper Tail: Black with the three outer feathers white with black spots.
  • Under Tail: Black with the three outer feathers white with black spots.
  • Leg color: Gray
.

Copyright © 2005 WBFI Research Foundation Bird database and its related content and media is Copyright (C) 2002 - 2005 Mitch Waite Group All rights reserved.

Family Woodpecker (Picidae)_blue
Species Picoides pubescens
Length6.75 - 7 Inches
Wingspan11.5 Inches

Downy Woodpecker

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.

● 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.
Downy Woodpecker Body Illustration
● 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