Downy Woodpecker vs House Sparrow
Picoides pubescens 对比 Passer domesticus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| 属性 | Downy Woodpecker | House Sparrow |
|---|---|---|
| 学名 | Picoides pubescens | Passer domesticus |
| 目 | Piciformes | Passeriformes |
| 科 | Picidae | Passeridae |
| 保护状况 | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| 体长 | 16.0 cm (6.3 in) | 16.0 cm (6.3 in) |
| 翼展 | 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 … |
| 产卵数 | -- | 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.
保护状况
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
家麻雀是全球分布最广的鸟类之一，与人类关系极为密切。雄鸟头顶灰色，喉部黑色，翅具栗色。广泛分布于城市、农村和郊区，以谷物、种子和昆虫为食。因人类扩张而随之传播至世界各地，但近年来在某些地区种群下降明显。