Downy Woodpecker vs Golden Eagle
Picoides pubescens compared with Aquila chrysaetos
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Downy Woodpecker | Golden Eagle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Picoides pubescens | Aquila chrysaetos |
| Order | Piciformes | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Picidae | Accipitridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 16.0 cm (6.3 in) | 81.0 cm (31.9 in) |
| Wingspan | 28.0 cm (11.0 in) | 212.0 cm (83.5 in) |
| Weight | 27.0 g (0.95 oz) | 4050.0 g (142.86 oz) |
| Diet | Insects and larvae extracted from bark, supplemented with seeds, berries, and suet at feeders. Often … | Mammals including rabbits, hares, ground squirrels, and marmots. Also takes birds, reptiles, and carrion. Hunts … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 1-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Downy Woodpecker
Deciduous and mixed forests, orchards, parks, and suburban areas. The most common woodpecker at feeders in North America.
Golden Eagle
Open and semi-open country including mountains, hills, and tundra. Prefers areas with cliffs or large trees for nesting and open terrain for hunting.
Song & Call Comparison
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'.
Golden Eagle
Mostly silent; emits a thin, high-pitched whistle 'kee-kee-kee' near the eyrie. Also gives low barking 'yak-yak' and mewing calls. Far less vocal than its size suggests.
Geographic Range & Migration
Downy Woodpecker
North America from Alaska and Canada south through the United States, excluding the arid Southwest.
Golden Eagle
Holarctic distribution across North America, Europe, North Africa, and Asia. The most widely distributed eagle species.
Conservation Status
Downy Woodpecker
Golden Eagle
How to Tell Them Apart
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
Golden Eagle
Dark brown overall with a golden-bronze sheen on the nape and crown. Juveniles show distinct white patches at the base of the tail and in the wings.
Dark horn-colored hooked bill with a yellow cere
About These Birds
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.
Golden Eagle
The golden eagle is one of the most powerful and agile raptors in the Northern Hemisphere. Revered by many cultures, it has been used in falconry for centuries, particularly by Kazakh eagle hunters of Central Asia. Golden eagles can dive at speeds exceeding 240 km/h when pursuing prey.