The Downy Woodpecker Our Smalles

The Downy Woodpecker
Our Smallest Woodpecker

The Downy Woodpecker

is the smallest of our woodpeckers. About 6-7 inches long and about 2 inches shorter than the look-alike Hairy woodpecker.
With a white back and white underparts its black wings are white spotted and it has a black-and-white-streaked face. The males have red on the nape and females do not.

You'll find these birds in open woodlands, orchards, parks, and backyards.

Feeding Habits

These woodpeckers feed on insects in the wild. Especially wood-boring insects. Also berries and seed.

You can attract these birds to your bird feeding station if you provide suet for them.

By adding a suet feeder, you'll be able to get a close up view of these birds. Additionally, you'll get other bird visitors like Nuthatches.

Mating Habits

During the breeding season the Downy and other woodpecker species do drumming - loud, continous, very rapid pecking on resonant surfaces such as dead tree stubs. This is done to announce territory and to attract a mate during breeding season.

Nesting Habits

This bird excavates its nest cavity in dead wood about 5-50 feet above ground. Although it sometimes uses man-made bird houses most times it prefers to nest in trees.
The female Downy Woodpecker lays 4-5 white eggs which are incubated by both male and female for about 12 days. The young will leave the nest about 28-30 days after hatching.

In southern states they may raise 2 broods each season.