Downy Woodpecker vs Bar-bellied Woodpecker
Picoides pubescens compared with Veniliornis nigriceps
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Downy Woodpecker | Bar-bellied Woodpecker |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Picoides pubescens | Veniliornis nigriceps |
| Order | Piciformes | Piciformes |
| Family | Picidae | Picidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 16.0 cm (6.3 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 28.0 cm (11.0 in) | 19.6 cm (7.7 in) |
| Weight | 27.0 g (0.95 oz) | 43.25 g (1.53 oz) |
| Diet | Insects and larvae extracted from bark, supplemented with seeds, berries, and suet at feeders. Often … | -- |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| 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.
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'.
Bar-bellied Woodpecker
Geographic Range & Migration
Downy Woodpecker
North America from Alaska and Canada south through the United States, excluding the arid Southwest.
Bar-bellied Woodpecker
Conservation Status
Downy Woodpecker
Bar-bellied Woodpecker
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
Bar-bellied Woodpecker
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.
Bar-bellied Woodpecker
The Bar-bellied Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker of the family Picidae found in montane forests on the Andean slopes from Colombia to Bolivia. Weighing about 43.3g with a wingspan of 19.6cm, it has barred black-and-white underparts and a red crown in males. It forages on tree trunks and branches for insects and larvae.