Downy Woodpecker vs House Sparrow
Picoides pubescens comparé à Passer domesticus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Downy Woodpecker | House Sparrow |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Picoides pubescens | Passer domesticus |
| Ordre | Piciformes | Passeriformes |
| Famille | Picidae | Passeridae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | 16,0 cm (6.3 in) | 16,0 cm (6.3 in) |
| Envergure | 28,0 cm (11.0 in) | 25,0 cm (9.8 in) |
| Poids | 27,0 g (0.95 oz) | 30,0 g (1.06 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Insects and larvae extracted from bark, supplemented with seeds, berries, and suet at feeders. Often … | Primarily seeds and grains, supplemented with insects during breeding season. Readily exploits human food scraps … |
| Taille de la couvée | -- | 1-8 |
| 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.
House Sparrow
Closely associated with human habitation. Found in cities, towns, farms, and any built environment. Rarely found far from people.
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'.
House Sparrow
Monotonous series of chirping 'cheep' and 'chirrup' notes. Male gives 'chilp' song repeatedly. Flocks produce constant chirping chatter. No melodic song; purely functional calls.
Geographic Range & Migration
Downy Woodpecker
North America from Alaska and Canada south through the United States, excluding the arid Southwest.
House Sparrow
Native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Introduced to every continent except Antarctica, making it the most widely distributed wild bird.
Statut de conservation
Downy Woodpecker
House Sparrow
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
House Sparrow
Males have grey crowns, chestnut napes, black bibs, and streaked brown backs. Females and juveniles are plain buffy-brown with a pale eyebrow stripe.
Short, stout, conical bill — black in breeding males, yellowish in non-breeding
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.
House Sparrow
The house sparrow is perhaps the most successful bird in the world at living alongside humans. Introduced to New York in 1851, it spread across North America within decades. Despite its global abundance, house sparrow populations have declined significantly in parts of western Europe.