Downy Woodpecker vs House Sparrow

Picoides pubescens 比較対象 Passer domesticus

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Side-by-Side Comparison

属性 Downy Woodpecker House Sparrow
学名 Picoides pubescens Passer domesticus
Piciformes Passeriformes
Picidae Passeridae
保全状況 Least Concern Least Concern
体長 16.0 cm (6.3 in) 16.0 cm (6.3 in)
翼開長 28.0 cm (11.0 in) 25.0 cm (9.8 in)
体重 27.0 g (0.95 oz) 30.0 g (1.06 oz)
食性 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 …
一腹卵数 -- 1-8
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Downy Woodpecker 16.0 cm
House Sparrow 16.0 cm
翼開長
Downy Woodpecker 28.0 cm
House Sparrow 25.0 cm
体重
Downy Woodpecker 27.0 g
House Sparrow 30.0 g
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Habitat Comparison

共通生息地

None

Downy Woodpecker only

None

House Sparrow only

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.

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Song & Call Comparison

Downy Woodpecker

さえずり

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

さえずり

Monotonous series of chirping 'cheep' and 'chirrup' notes. Male gives 'chilp' song repeatedly. Flocks produce constant chirping chatter. No melodic song; purely functional calls.

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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.

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保全状況

Least Concern

Downy Woodpecker

Least Concern

House Sparrow

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How to Tell Them Apart

Downy Woodpecker

羽毛

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.

くちばし

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

House Sparrow

羽毛

Males have grey crowns, chestnut napes, black bibs, and streaked brown backs. Females and juveniles are plain buffy-brown with a pale eyebrow stripe.

くちばし

Short, stout, conical bill — black in breeding males, yellowish in non-breeding

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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.

House Sparrow

スズメは人間の居住地に最も密接に関連する鳥の一つで、世界で最も広く分布する鳥種の一つ。原産地はヨーロッパ・アジアだが、人間とともに世界中に持ち込まれた。

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