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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute	Downy Woodpecker	Red-collared Woodpecker
Scientific Name	Picoides pubescens	Picus rabieri
Order	Piciformes	Piciformes
Family	Picidae	Picidae
Conservation Status	Least Concern	Near Threatened
Length	16.0 cm (6.3 in)	—
Wingspan	28.0 cm (11.0 in)	27.0 cm (10.6 in)
Weight	27.0 g (0.95 oz)	111.4 g (3.93 oz)
Diet	Insects and larvae extracted from bark, supplemented with seeds, berries, and suet at feeders. Often …	--
Clutch Size	--	--
Population Trend	—	—

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Size Comparison

Body Length

Downy Woodpecker 16.0 cm

Red-collared Woodpecker —

Wingspan

Downy Woodpecker 28.0 cm

Red-collared Woodpecker 27.0 cm

Weight

Downy Woodpecker 27.0 g

Red-collared Woodpecker 111.4 g

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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Downy Woodpecker only

None

Red-collared Woodpecker only

🌲 Forest

Downy Woodpecker

Deciduous and mixed forests, orchards, parks, and suburban areas. The most common woodpecker at feeders in North America.

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Song & Call Comparison

Downy Woodpecker

Song

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'.

Red-collared Woodpecker

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Geographic Range & Migration

Downy Woodpecker

North America from Alaska and Canada south through the United States, excluding the arid Southwest.

Red-collared Woodpecker

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Downy Woodpecker

Near Threatened

Red-collared Woodpecker

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How to Tell Them Apart

Downy Woodpecker

Plumage

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.

Bill

Short, chisel-shaped, dark bill — noticeably shorter than the similar hairy woodpecker

Red-collared Woodpecker

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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.

Red-collared Woodpecker

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Related Comparisons

Common Nightingale vs Downy Woodpecker

look-alike

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