Downy Woodpecker
Picoides pubescens
DescriptionThis is the most common woodpecker of North America. It is often confused with the larger Hairy Woodpecker. Downy's feed on insects, seeds, grains and suet. They do not, however, store food for the winter. Also, males and females forage at different locations in the trees during winter. Males tend to search for food high up in a tree, whereas females search the middle and lower portions of a tree.
Black head with two thick white facial stripes. Short, stuby black bill. Black nape with a red spot on the male and no spot on the female. White underparts. Black wings with white spots on coverts and flight feathers. White back. Black rump. Tail is black with white outer feathers, which are barred with black. 5.75 to 6.5 inches in length.
Woodlands, thickets and parks.
Nesting4-5 white eggs with a 12 day incubation period. Fledging occurs in 20-25 days. The eggs are layed in a hole in a tree.
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