This friendly bird is a frequent visitor to backyard feeders and has a particular fondness for suet. Its calls include a soft “pik!” and a descending rattle.

Meet the Downy Woodpecker

“Downy Woodpecker (Male)” by AcrylicArtist is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

The Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens), is the smallest woodpecker species in North America, although smaller species such as piculets exist elsewhere. The species ranges from 14 to 18 cm (5.5 to 7.1 in) in length and has a wingspan of 25 to 31 cm (9.8 to 12.2 in), weighing in at 20 to 33 g (0.71 to 1.16 oz). The upperparts and wings of the Downy Woodpecker are mostly black with white spots, while the back, throat, and belly are white. Two white bars are present above and below the eyes. The black tail has white outer feathers barred with black. Male adults have a red patch at the back of their heads, while juvenile birds display a red cap.

“Downy Woodpecker Macro” by AcrylicArtist is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Despite not being closely related, the Downy Woodpecker and Hairy Woodpecker are remarkably similar in appearance, owing to convergent evolution. Seven subspecies of the Downy Woodpecker are acknowledged, each occupying a specific region across North America.

Adult males of this species are mainly black and white, with a red patch at the back of their head. They possess black-spotted white tail feathers and shorter bills compared to Hairy Woodpeckers.

“Downy Woodpecker (juvenile)” by ShenandoahNPS is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.

The downy woodpecker is a native species in North America, found primarily in forested areas, particularly deciduous forests. They are distributed across most parts of the United States and Canada, but are absent from the tundra of the north and the deserts of the southwest. While many downy woodpeckers are year-round residents, those in the north may migrate south during the winter, and those in mountainous areas may move to lower elevations.

“Downy Woodpecker” by USFWS Headquarters is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.

This species is typically found in open deciduous forests, although they are adaptable and can be seen in a variety of habitats, including parks and backyards. Unlike some bird species that have suffered due to the fragmentation of their habitats caused by suburban sprawl and rural development, the Downy Woodpecker seems to be unaffected by such changes and may even thrive in these areas.

“downy woodpecker” by marneejill is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Although suet is a popular food source for suburban Downy Woodpeckers, in the wild, they primarily feed on insects and grubs that they locate under bark, on plant stems, and in tree galls. Fruit and seeds make up a smaller portion of their diet. These birds are among the few woodpecker species that will visit feeders, with suet being their most frequent choice.

“Downy Woodpecker (female)” by ShenandoahNPS is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.

These woodpeckers typically make their nests in tree cavities that they excavate in dead trees or limbs. In winter, they use these same cavities for roosting. Their diet primarily consists of insects, but they also eat seeds and berries. Notably, they are natural predators of the European corn borer, which causes significant crop losses in the US agriculture industry. In suburban areas, downy woodpeckers can often be seen feeding on suet and shelled peanuts from mesh birdfeeders during the winter months.

“Downy Woodpecker” by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

This bird is regarded as of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

“Male Downy Woodpecker in an Evergreen” by AcrylicArtist is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Watch this bird in action: