common name-Downy Woodpecker

scientific name-Picoides pubescens

Presented by Noah D. Kahn

photo courtesy of Dan Sudia

Higher Taxa

Identification Guide

Diagnostic features

As described by woodpecker expert, Lester Short, in 1982, the downy is "black above, except white down center of back. Black wings with white spots. Head with white stripe behind and above the eye, another below the eye, and a white band up the side of the neck; black crown, line enlarging from eye rearward, and mark posterior to malar streak. Male with narrow red nape patch. Differs from similar, sympatric P. villosus by small size, especially with small bill, and barring on white outer tail feathers." Both sexes are virtually identical in size and weight, except that females have proportionately longer tails and shorter bills. Immature birds are browner, with less black coloration, but with fine black streaks on the sides and flanks. Their eyes are brown or reddish brown in adults, while juveniles have pale gray or olive colored eyes. Their legs and feet are grayish, and Downy's have a dark gray or blackish bill.

Range Distribution

-Downy woodpeckers are distributed throughout North America, even settling in cold climates such as Alaska. While they are known to inhabit all types of American forests, Downy's prefer relatively young, hardwood forests at low elevations. Despite obvious preferences, their altitudinal range spans from sea level to 6100 feet in California and 9000 feet in the southern Rocky Mountains. (Short,1982)

Foraging Habits

-Not only are their short, hard beaks used to excavate nesting holes, but Downy's actually obtain insects below the surface of the bark by tapping persistently to get the insects to come out. Similar to most all birds, they forage by themselves, and they prefer to stake out their pray on the tips of leaf clusters and branchlets. Beetles and ants are the foods of choice, but caterpillars, plant lice, various fruits and berries, and poison ivy may be eaten as well.

Breeding

-Downy's commence the breeding season in late winter throughout much of the range, with birds from northern habitats waiting until spring. Individuals make roosting cavities, sometimes within sight of other roosts, without aggression. The sexes are drawn together by drumming and calls, usually with the female taking the initiative. After copulation, either sex may take the role of choosing a nest site. They assist each other in the excavation, which may take up to two weeks. Usually the hole will be made in a dead tree, fence post, or telephone pole, but never a live limb of a tree. Eggs usually number 3 to 6, and are laid in from April to June, depending on the location. Egg incubation lasts for 12 days, after which the hatchlings receive exceptional care from their parents.

Terms to Indicate Relative Abundance

  • Accidental- 1 to 4 times in 50 years
  • Occasional- 5 to 10 times in 50 years
  • Rare- more than 10 times in 50 years, but not more than 3 times per year
  • Uncommon- occurs more than 35 times per year
  • Common- occurs more than 40 times in a 10 day period
  • Abundant- expected to occur in large numbers

    Table I: North American Distribution of Picoides pubescens

    Picoides pubescens

    AREA STATUS REFERENCES
    North America:
    Continental United States; Canada    		 Yes Short,1982
    Eastern North America:
    United States east of Mississippi;
    Ontario and eastern Canada    		 Yes Short, 1982
    Southeastern United States:
    AL AR DE DC FL GA KY MD NC SC TN VA WV    		 Yes Nicholson, 1997
    Southern Appalachian States:
    AL GA KY MD NC SC TN VA WV    		 Yes Nicholson,1997
    Coastal Plain uncommon Short, 1982;
    Piedmont common Short,1982;
    Blue Ridge Mountains common Nicholson, 1997
    Great Smoky Mountains National Park abundant Nicholson,1997
    Ridge and Valley common Nicholson, 1997
    Cumberland Plateau common Nicholson, 1997
    Central Arch uncommon -
    Georgia Abundant Short,1982
    Clarke County, Georgia Yes Noah Kahn, pers. guess
    Sams Farm Probably Noah Kahn, Pers. Guess
    Old Field Probably Noah Kahn, Pers. Guess
    Wetland Probably not Noah Kahn, Pers. Guess
    Wood Probably Noah Kahn, Pers. Guess
    1-Hectare Plot Probably Noah Kahn, Pers. Guess.

    How to Encounter

    -Downy woodpeckers, along with numerous other species, are abundant throughout North America and the world. Woodpeckers, while sometimes unwelcomed guests, may be attracted by fence posts or dead wood. If this piece of dead wood had metal (a street sign, for example) attached to it, the woodpecker is deceived into thinking the wood is hollow from the resonant qualities that metal possesses. Woodpeckers especially love hollow-sounding trees and posts, thus they are likely to roost there. To encounter a Downy woodpecker, look in young forests at low elevations. Their nest holes are likely to be between 12 and 30 feet on a tree.

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