Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
Also called downy.
The smallest woodpecker in North America and the one at most feeders. It is separated from the nearly identical hairy woodpecker by bill length, and that comparison is the whole exercise.
- Size
- Sparrow-sized — 14–17 cm
- Bill
- Chisel-like
- Where
- feeder, woodland, yard
- Season
- year round
What it looks like
Black and white chequered wings, a white back stripe, a boldly striped face, and on the male a small red patch on the back of the head. The bill is short — noticeably shorter than the head is deep.
The checks that confirm it
- Bill clearly shorter than half the width of the head. This is the character.
- White outer tail feathers marked with small black spots.
- A white stripe down the centre of the black back.
- Male has a small red patch at the back of the head; the female has none.
Voice
A sharp 'pik', and a descending whinny that runs down in pitch. Drums in short rapid bursts.
Attracting it
Suet above all, and sunflower hearts and peanuts. Suet in winter brings them reliably.
Confused with
Larger, with a bill about as long as the head is wide, and clean white outer tail feathers without black spots.
Larger, with a black-and-white barred back rather than a white stripe, and a red nape.
Questions about this bird
How do you identify a downy woodpecker?
Bill clearly shorter than half the width of the head. This is the character. White outer tail feathers marked with small black spots.
What does a downy woodpecker sound like?
A sharp 'pik', and a descending whinny that runs down in pitch. Drums in short rapid bursts.
How do you attract a downy woodpecker?
Suet above all, and sunflower hearts and peanuts. Suet in winter brings them reliably.