Downy Woodpecker vs Northern Cardinal
Picoides pubescens ile kıyaslandığında Cardinalis cardinalis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Özellik | Downy Woodpecker | Northern Cardinal |
|---|---|---|
| Bilimsel Ad | Picoides pubescens | Cardinalis cardinalis |
| Takım | Piciformes | Passeriformes |
| Familya | Picidae | Cardinalidae |
| Koruma Durumu | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Uzunluk | 16,0 cm (6.3 in) | 22,0 cm (8.7 in) |
| Kanat Açıklığı | 28,0 cm (11.0 in) | 30,0 cm (11.8 in) |
| Ağırlık | 27,0 g (0.95 oz) | 44,0 g (1.55 oz) |
| Beslenme | Insects and larvae extracted from bark, supplemented with seeds, berries, and suet at feeders. Often … | Seeds, grains, fruits, and insects. Especially fond of sunflower seeds at bird feeders. Feeds mainly … |
| Kuluçka Büyüklüğü | -- | 1-5 |
| 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.
Northern Cardinal
Woodland edges, thickets, gardens, and suburban areas. Prefers dense shrubby habitats for nesting.
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'.
Northern Cardinal
Loud, clear whistled phrases: 'cheer-cheer-cheer' and 'birdy-birdy-birdy'. Both male and female sing; female song is softer. Alarm is a sharp metallic 'chink'.
Geographic Range & Migration
Downy Woodpecker
North America from Alaska and Canada south through the United States, excluding the arid Southwest.
Northern Cardinal
Eastern and central North America from southern Canada to Mexico and Guatemala. Expanding range northward.
Koruma Durumu
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Cardinal
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
Northern Cardinal
Males are brilliant crimson red overall with a black face mask. Females are warm buffy brown with reddish tinges on wings, crest, and tail.
Thick, conical, bright orange-red bill
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.
Northern Cardinal
The northern cardinal is the state bird of seven US states, more than any other species. Unlike many songbirds, both males and females sing, often in duets. Cardinals do not migrate and their brilliant red plumage against winter snow makes them a favorite among backyard birdwatchers.