Who said size matters?
Well, not for the Downy Woodpecker at least.
This active woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker species in North America and can often be seen foraging amongst flocks of chickadees and nuthatches in forests and gardens alike.
This article is a comprehensive guide to the Downy Woodpecker. We’ll be exploring its appearance, where it can be found, nesting habits and more.
What is the Downy Woodpecker?
The Downy Woodpecker is a member of the Picinae, or true woodpecker, family.
They, like many other woodpeckers, have a straight, chisel-like bill, in which they use to probe insects from within tree bark.
Measuring no longer than 7 inches (closer to 6) and weighing less than an ounce, the downy woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker species in North America.
However, for what it lacks in size, the Downy Woodpecker makes up for in bravado.
Also referred to as Downies, these small woodpeckers are a commonly sighted species amongst human-modified environments, such as backyards, parks and orchards.
They eagerly hold their own against larger backyard species, such as the Northern Cardinal and Blue Jay, even going as far as chasing the larger species away, whilst they forage for insects and other food sources.
How to Identify the Downy Woodpecker
If you, like me, grew up watching Woody the Woodpecker, you’ll be disappointed to know that woodpeckers don’t actually look like Woody.
Who’d have thought it?
Whilst they’re not the most colorful of birds, many woodpecker species have some interesting feather patterns and iconic sounds which allow keen birders to ID them.
And the Downy Woodpecker is no exception.
Identification by Sight
Forget Woody, the Downy looks as if it’s applying for a leading role in The Phantom of the Opera, with a checkered black and white color pattern.
Much like the tux worn by The Phantom himself, the Downy Woodpecker has a white breast with black wings. The tail feathers are typically black, with white streaking on the outer plumage.
The only giveaway that the downy isn’t The Phantom is the white checked flecks adorning the wings.
The head is boldly striped, with a conspicuous white stripe running from the eyes around the top of their head – much like a halo.
For the most part, but sexes look similar in appearance. Except one thing.
On the back of their heads, often on the white banding, males have a small red patch. Females lack this coloration.
Across North America, there are thought to be 7 subspecies of Downy Woodpeckers.
Whilst they remain somewhat unanimous in appearance, there are slight differences that you should be aware of.
For example, the Western subspecies are darker and typically have fewer flecks of white. In comparison, populations of Eastern Downies have higher concentrations of white plumage.
Northern populations tend to be slightly larger than their Southern relatives.
Identification by Sound
Downy Woodpeckers, like most woodpecker species, do not produce highly complex songs.
However, this isn’t to say they’re mute.
Far from it, in fact.
To attract a mate, or to defend their territory, the Downy Woodpecker will seek out a dead tree or hollow log and drum.
But this isn’t drumming how we know it.
Using their bill, they repeatedly hammer resonant objects to announce their presence.
Oftentimes, the Downy Woodpecker will drum on pieces of metal, such as utility poles and transformer boxes, to achieve a more pronounced sound.
You may also hear the Downy Woodpecker call. It is a distinctly high whinny with slight descending and accelerating notes to form a kee-kee-kee-kee.
Nesting Behaviors of the Downy Woodpecker
Courtship begins in Spring with the symphonies of intense drumming. Romantic.
Once a male has caught the attention of a female, he will begin a series of fluttering dances with his wings held high. This is known as the “butterfly dance” and shows the female that he is fit enough to sire her offspring.
Downy Woodpeckers are primary cavity nesting birds – they construct their own nests within dead trees.
However, they don’t work alone.
Downies will often choose a deciduous tree, such as an oak, willow and aspen, that has already been infected with fungus. The fungus breaks down the wood, making it easier for the woodpecker to construct a cavity.
Once a suitable nest site has been chosen, both male and female Downies excavate a nest hole. Depending on the tree species, and its rate of decay, this can take up to 3 weeks.
Once complete, the nesting cavity can be up to 12 inches deep, with a layer of wood chippings at the bottom. Rarely is any other nesting substrate recorded in a Downy Woodpecker nest.
What do Downy Woodpeckers Eat?
Downy Woodpeckers are mostly insectivorous – meaning their diet consists of a lot of insects.
Many of these insects are wood burrowing, and live within the bark of trees. Such insects include beetle larvae, caterpillars and ants.
Downy Woodpeckers also eat a range of pest insects, such as corn earworm, tent caterpillars and bark beetles, making them an unlikely ally for gardeners and farmers alike.
Whilst insects form a large part of their diet, they don’t feed exclusively on the critters.
In fact, about a quarter of the Downy Woodpeckers diet consists of plant material, such as berries, acorns, seeds and grains.
It isn’t uncommon to see Downies foraging for poison ivy bushes, feeding on the small berries. Unlike us humans, Downy Woodpeckers have natural tolerance to toxins found in poison ivy.
You may even spot them on occasion drinking from hummingbird feeders.
Can I attract the Downy Woodpecker to my Garden?
Downy woodpeckers are not a migratory species and can be seen year-round throughout most of North America.
By introducing a few simple items into your backyard, you can increase the likelihood of a Downy visit.
1. Food
As we discussed above, Downy Woodpeckers are not fussy eaters. They eat a wide variety of food items, which means you can experiment and get creative.
You can create your own DIY bird feeders using a suet mixture and introducing a variety of insects, such as mealworms, and seeds, such as sunflower.
Place the feeders in more secluded areas of your yard, and around mature trees if possible – it’ll make the Downies feel much more at ease.
2. Water
Like most bird species, Downy Woodpeckers love a bath.
In summer months, when rainfall is typically less and droughts can ravage the land, birdbaths offer an important lifeline.
Similarly to the feeders, you can make your own birdbath with resources you will most likely already own.
A shallow, watertight bowl, such as an upturned trash can lid or large circular plant tray, will suffice. Even an old bowl or a cooking pot would work. Fill this container with a variety of rocks and pebbles and top off with fresh, clean water.
To have the highest chance of attracting Downies, as well as a range of other backyard visitors, set up the DIY bird bath in a shaded and, if possible, secluded part of your backyard.
3. Refuge
Wildlife loves wild yards.
A pile of leaves here, a stack of logs there.
Downies are no exception.
Whilst they spend much of their time foraging on trees, they will occasionally come to the ground to forage.
If you live in a more urban environment, with limited mature trees and shrubs, consider leaving parts of your yard for nature. You’ll be surprised at just how quickly a whole host of species will colonize – wood piles are a particular favorite.
And smaller species pave the way for larger predators, like our Downy Woodpecker. Keep an eye out as they hop along the floor picking up any insects from wood piles.
Where to Spot Downy Woodpeckers?
The Downy Woodpecker has a stable population – a statement that can’t be said for too many species today.
They are a common, year-round resident of deciduous forests of North America – from Alaska to Florida.
They are typically absent from the arid lowlands of Southwestern USA.
The Downy Woodpecker is an adaptable species. Whilst they tend to prefer deciduous forests, they can also be found in coniferous forests (where an understory of deciduous trees can be found), as well as human-modified landscapes, such as orchards and parks.
To spot the Downy Woodpecker, look at long small twigs, stems and even weed stalks, such as the goldenrod, where larger woodpeckers cannot access.
Similar Species to the Downy Woodpecker
The Downy Woodpecker is a common woodpecker species.
So is the Hairy Woodpecker.
Both look near identical, with almost exactly the same patterning and found in the same environments.
But there are clues to distinguish the two common species.
What makes the Downy Woodpecker unique is its size – both overall, and its bill.
Just shy of 10 inches in length, the Hairy Woodpecker is almost double the size of a Downy Woodpecker.
The bill of a Hairy Woodpecker is also a lot more pronounced; almost as long as its whole head. The Downy, in comparison, has a very short bill.
I know, I know. It’s like comparing a teaspoon and a tablespoon. From up close, you can clearly tell the two apart. Further away, in the gloom of the woods, distinguishing the two can become more of a challenge.
Overtime, your eyes will be able to distinguish the size in relation to surrounding objects – such as twigs and leaves. Keep practicing and refining!
Final Thoughts
Don’t let the unassuming size of the Downy Woodpecker fool you.
In backyard environments, it can easily hold its own against larger birds, such as cardinals.
To help attract Downies to your backyard, consider making a DIY suet feeder and birdbath.
This energetic forager will spend its time moving up and down branches, twigs and weeds in search of insects. If insects are in short supply, they will happily gorge on fruits and seeds.
To communicate, the Downy Woodpecker will drum its bill against a resonant object, such as a hollow tree or metal pole, to create their iconic drumming noise.
