Cardinal Woodpecker vs Downy Woodpecker

Dendropicos fuscescens comparé à Picoides pubescens

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Cardinal Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker
Nom scientifique Dendropicos fuscescens Picoides pubescens
Ordre Piciformes Piciformes
Famille Picidae Picidae
Statut de conservation Least Concern Least Concern
Longueur 16,0 cm (6.3 in)
Envergure 18,4 cm (7.2 in) 28,0 cm (11.0 in)
Poids 28,5 g (1.01 oz) 27,0 g (0.95 oz)
Régime alimentaire -- Insects and larvae extracted from bark, supplemented with seeds, berries, and suet at feeders. Often …
Taille de la couvée 2-3 --
Population Trend

Size Comparison

Body Length
Cardinal Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker 16,0 cm
Envergure
Cardinal Woodpecker 18,4 cm
Downy Woodpecker 28,0 cm
Poids
Cardinal Woodpecker 28,5 g
Downy Woodpecker 27,0 g

Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Aucun(e)

Cardinal Woodpecker only

Downy Woodpecker only

Aucun(e)

Downy Woodpecker

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

Song & Call Comparison

Cardinal Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Chant

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

Cardinal Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

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

Statut de conservation

Least Concern

Cardinal Woodpecker

Least Concern

Downy Woodpecker

How to Tell Them Apart

Cardinal Woodpecker

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.

Bec

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

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