The Downy Woodpecker is a small bird that is common across most of North America. It is the smallest woodpecker in North America and can often be found in backyards and parks. With its black and white coloration and its habit of tapping on trees in search of insects, the Downy Woodpecker has a very distinctive appearance.
Appearance of the Downy Woodpecker
The Downy Woodpecker is only about 6-7 inches in length. Its wingspan is 9-12 inches across. It is mostly black and white in coloration. The upper parts and wings are black with white spots and bars. The underparts are white. The male Downy Woodpecker has a red patch on the back of its head while the female does not have any red markings.
The Downy Woodpecker has a straight chisel-like bill that it uses to excavate holes in tree bark to find insects. It has stiff tail feathers that help prop it against the tree trunk as it hitches up the tree. Its feet have two toes facing forward and two facing backward to allow it to securely grasp the bark.
The Downy Woodpecker makes frequent short hopping flights from branch to branch and tree to tree. It is an active and acrobatic little bird.
Similar-Looking Birds
There are a few other birds that at first glance appear similar to the Downy Woodpecker. These include:
Hairy Woodpecker
The Hairy Woodpecker looks nearly identical to the Downy Woodpecker. However, as its name implies, it is larger with a wingspan of 13-17 inches. It also has a longer, heavier bill. The Hairy Woodpecker is less common and prefers more forested habitat than the Downy does.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
While not truly red-bellied, the Red-bellied Woodpecker does have a reddish patch on its belly. It is larger than the Downy at 9-10 inches in length. It is boldly patterned black and white on its back and wings with barred white markings. Unlike the Downy, it does not have black spots on its white underparts.
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
The Ladder-backed Woodpecker is found in the southwestern U.S. and parts of Mexico. It is similar in size to the Downy at 6-7 inches long. It is mostly black with large white markings on its wings and back and small black dots on its underparts.
Red-headed Woodpecker
As its name indicates, the Red-headed Woodpecker has a completely red head and neck. Its body is mostly black except for large white wing patches. Although different in coloration, it is about the same size as a Downy.
Identifying the Downy Woodpecker
Even though several birds may look somewhat similar to a Downy Woodpecker at first glance, a closer look reveals some distinct differences that allow the Downy to be positively identified:
| Bird | Size | Bill Size | Plumage | Habitat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downy Woodpecker | 6-7 inches | Short | Black/white with spots on wings and back | Backyards, parks, open woodlands |
| Hairy Woodpecker | 9-11 inches | Long | Black/white with spots on wings and back | Mature forests |
| Red-bellied Woodpecker | 9-10 inches | Medium | Barred black/white back, red patch on belly | Woodlands near water |
| Ladder-backed Woodpecker | 6-7 inches | Short | Black with large white markings | Arid woodlands of SW |
| Red-headed Woodpecker | 7-9 inches | Short | Red head and neck, black/white body | Open woodlands |
The small size, short bill, spotted black and white plumage, and habitat preference for open woodlands like parks and backyards are the best identifiers for positively distinguishing the Downy Woodpecker from look-alike species.
Interesting Facts about the Downy Woodpecker
Here are some fascinating facts about the cute and common Downy Woodpecker:
- At 6-7 inches, it is the smallest woodpecker species in North America.
- Downy Woodpeckers are year-round residents across much of their range.
- They mainly eat insects but will also consume berries, acorns, and sap.
- They nest in dead trees or branchesExcavate their own nest cavities each breeding season.
- They are named for the soft plumage on their back.
- They have stiff tail feathers that prop them against tree trunks.
- Their population numbers are on the rise according to monitoring data.
- They sometimes cache food like acorns for later feeding.
- They are prone to collisions with manmade objects and structures.
- They can sometimes be spotted feeding at suet feeders.
The Downy Woodpecker is an adaptable and fascinating little bird. Although it shares some superficial similarities with other woodpecker species, its small size, short bill, and vocalizations make it easy to identify this common backyard bird.
Conclusion
The Downy Woodpecker is often confused with other birds at first glance, especially the Hairy Woodpecker. However, upon closer inspection its diminutive size, stubby bill, spotted plumage, preference for open habitats near trees, and lively movements make it easy to positively identify. Paying attention to field marks like size, plumage patterns, bill shape, behavior, and habitat preferences allows even backyard birders to confidently distinguish the Downy Woodpecker from superficially similar species.
