Common Starling vs Downy Woodpecker
Sturnus vulgaris compared with Picoides pubescens
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Common Starling | Downy Woodpecker |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sturnus vulgaris | Picoides pubescens |
| Order | Passeriformes | Piciformes |
| Family | Sturnidae | Picidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 21.5 cm (8.5 in) | 16.0 cm (6.3 in) |
| Wingspan | 37.0 cm (14.6 in) | 28.0 cm (11.0 in) |
| Weight | 78.0 g (2.75 oz) | 27.0 g (0.95 oz) |
| Diet | Omnivorous — insects and larvae (especially leatherjackets), earthworms, fruit, and seeds. Probes soil with open … | Insects and larvae extracted from bark, supplemented with seeds, berries, and suet at feeders. Often … |
| Clutch Size | 4-7 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Common Starling only
Downy Woodpecker only
None
Common Starling
Open countryside, farmland, parks, and urban areas. Forms enormous communal roosts in winter, especially in urban environments.
Downy Woodpecker
Deciduous and mixed forests, orchards, parks, and suburban areas. The most common woodpecker at feeders in North America.
Song & Call Comparison
Common Starling
A complex mimic: rattles, whistles, clicks, and squeaks mixed with imitations of other birds. Song is a continuous medley. Also gives harsh 'scheer' alarm and chattering.
Downy Woodpecker
A sharp 'pik' or 'peek' contact call. Drums on resonant branches with a rapid, light tattoo — softer than larger woodpeckers. Also gives a high descending whinny 'keeer-keeer'.
Geographic Range & Migration
Common Starling
Native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Downy Woodpecker
North America from Alaska and Canada south through the United States, excluding the arid Southwest.
Conservation Status
Common Starling
Downy Woodpecker
How to Tell Them Apart
Common Starling
Glossy black plumage with iridescent purple and green sheen in breeding season. Winter plumage shows white spotting. Short tail and pointed wings in flight.
Long, pointed bill — yellow in breeding season, dark in winter
Downy Woodpecker
Black and white plumage with a broad white stripe down the back. Black wings with white spots. Males have a small red patch on the nape.
Short, chisel-shaped, dark bill — noticeably shorter than the similar hairy woodpecker
About These Birds
Common Starling
The common starling is famous for its murmurations — vast swirling flocks of thousands that create mesmerizing patterns in winter skies. An accomplished mimic, it can imitate other birds, car alarms, and phone ringtones. Introduced to North America by a group intent on establishing every bird mentioned by Shakespeare.
Downy Woodpecker
The downy woodpecker is the smallest and most widespread woodpecker in North America. Its small size allows it to forage on thin branches and weed stems that larger woodpeckers cannot access. Downies often join mixed-species flocks in winter, benefiting from the extra vigilance of multiple species watching for predators.