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
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. |
|