Downy Woodpecker

Here are some interesting Down Woodpecker facts. The Downy Woodpecker’s latin name is Dryobates pubescens. They live all over North America. Their preferred habitat is forests, woodlots, willows, river groves, orchards, suburban yards, and deciduous trees. The female Downy Woodpecker and the male Downy Woodpecker take turns drumming loudly on dead limbs. When you look at a picture of a Downy Woodpecker, you’ll notice one thing very quickly. They are small. They are the smallest woodpecker in North America at around six inches in length. It’s this small size that can help differentiate between a Downy vs. Hairy Woodpecker. The Hairy Woodpecker is about 3 inches larger than its smaller cousin.

The Downy Woodpecker breeds from March to June. A typical clutch size is from 4-8 tiny eggs, which are incubated over a 12-day period. Afterward, the baby Downy Woodpecker remains home for another 18-21 days. A pair of woodpeckers will only produce one brood per year. They winter in southern areas. Their population status is of least concern. There are several Downy Woodpecker sounds, including a short pik call. This specific Downy Woodpecker call may actually help identify this bird from other woodpeckers. The Downy Woodpecker can be found at Coal Creek Farm year round. Their diet consists of mostly insects, especially beetles, and ants, wasps, caterpillars, seeds, and berries.