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Downy Woodpecker

Picoides pubescens

Least Concern
Länge
16,0 cm
Flügelspannweite
28,0 cm
Gewicht
27,0 g
Familie
Picidae
Ordnung
Piciformes

Über uns

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.

Physical Description

Measurement Value Imperial
Body Length 16,0 cm 6.3 in
Flügelspannweite 28,0 cm 11.0 in
Gewicht 27,0 g 0.95 oz

Identifizierung

Gefieder

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.

Schnabel

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

Habitat & Range

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

Geografisches Verbreitungsgebiet

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

Diet & Feeding

Insects and larvae extracted from bark, supplemented with seeds, berries, and suet at feeders. Often forages on small branches and weed stems.

Erhaltungsstatus

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

Lautgebung

Gesang

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'.

Taxonomie

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Ordnung Piciformes (Woodpeckers & Toucans)
Familie Picidae (Woodpeckers)
Genus Picoides
Arten Picoides pubescens

External Databases

Häufig gestellte Fragen

What does the Downy Woodpecker eat?
Insects and larvae extracted from bark, supplemented with seeds, berries, and suet at feeders. Often forages on small branches and weed stems.
Where does the Downy Woodpecker live?
Deciduous and mixed forests, orchards, parks, and suburban areas. The most common woodpecker at feeders in North America.
Is the Downy Woodpecker endangered?
The Downy Woodpecker has a conservation status of Least Concern.
What does the Downy Woodpecker sound like?
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'.
How big is the Downy Woodpecker?
The Downy Woodpecker has a body length of 16.0 cm, wingspan of 28.0 cm, weight of 27.0 g.
What order and family does the Downy Woodpecker belong to?
The Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) belongs to the order Piciformes and the family Picidae.

Similar Birds

Other species in the Picidae family

Vergleichen

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