Downy Woodpecker vs Red-bellied Woodpecker
The check that settles it
Larger, with a black-and-white barred back rather than a white stripe, and a red nape.
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
- Size
- 14–17 cm
- Bill
- chisel
- Where
- feeder, woodland, yard
- Voice
- A sharp 'pik', and a descending whinny that runs down in pitch. Drums in short rapid bursts.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Melanerpes carolinus
- Size
- 22–27 cm
- Bill
- chisel
- Where
- feeder, woodland, yard
- Voice
- A rolling 'churr' and a harsh 'cha-cha-cha'. Drums in steady even bursts.
Confirming 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.
- 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.
Confirming a red-bellied woodpecker
- A black-and-white ladder-barred back — the 'zebra' pattern.
- Red on the nape, extending forward over the crown on males.
- Plain pale grey face and chest.
- The red belly is a faint pinkish smudge and is rarely seen.