Woodpecker (Downy)

The smallest and most common woodpecker, the Downy Woodpecker is found throughout most of North America from Alaska to Florida. It lives in a variety of habitats from wilderness forests to urban backyards, and comes readily to bird feeders. Beef suet will attract a Downy to any feeding station.

Downy Woodpeckers have black and white plumage, plain white back and a small pointed bill. Their size is 6 to 7 inch in length with a wingspan of 10 to12 inches. Male are with a red patch on the back of the head while females are with a black patch.

This woodpecker is valuable to humans, their food consisting of some of the worst insect foes of orchard and shade trees. Male and female Downy Woodpeckers may stay in the same areas in winter, but they divide up where they look for food. The male feeds more on small branches and weed stems, and the female feeds more on large branches and the trunks of tree.


Photographed in the wild, Etobicoke, ON