Scientific Classification

KINGDOM: Animalia

PHYLUM: Chordata

CLASS: Aves

ORDER: Piciformes

FAMILY: Picidae

GENUS: Dryobates

SPECIES: D. pubescens

Conservation Status

Downy woodpecker at nest
Young downy woodpecker
Downy woodpecker on tree
Downy woodpecker eating bird seed
The downy woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker in North America; however, smaller woodpeckers exist outside of those bounds. Their total length is up to 7 inches long, weighing a little over an ounce. Compared to their small bodies, they still have a good wingspan of 10 – 12 inches!

Downy woodpeckers are mostly black with white spots on their wings and a white throat and stomach. Both genders have a white bar above and below their eyes, but males have the red patch on the back of their head.

They have stiff feathers to prevent wood dust from going up the downy woodpecker’s nostrils when they’re drilling.
The downy woodpecker is the most common American woodpecker. They can be found throughout North America all the way from Florida to Alaska. Downy woodpeckers live in a variety of habitats from regular backyards to the wild forests; however, they are not tolerant of the southwestern deserts.
Downy woodpeckers eat insects, seeds, berries, sap, and more. They have a great sense of smell and hearing so finding prey is easy. Plus, there’s always the option of peanuts and suet in backyard birdfeeders when available.

Male and female downy woodpeckers feed in different areas. Males prefer smaller branches, found normally high in the upper parts of trees. Females look for food in the middle or lower portion of trees.

Farmers especially appreciate downy woodpeckers as they are known to feed on destructive insects such as the European corn borer, which causes more than $1 billion in damages annually to US agriculture!
Downy woodpeckers mate in spring and early summer. They will loudly drum on trees, posts, or any other surface they can find to announce their territory and attract a mate; one territory for a woodpecker couple can span 24 acres! After mating, females will drill into a tree to form a nest with her mate. Average clutches are 4-5 eggs that hatch after only 12 days. The chicks will stay with their parents for about a month before leaving the nest.

The downy woodpecker looks almost identical to the hairy woodpecker except for the downy’s smaller bill size, shorter stature, and black-spotted tail.