Downy Woodpecker

A downy woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) is the smallest woodpecker in North America. It is a common sight in backyards and forests and is known for its small size and distinctive black-and-white plumage. 🐦

The downy woodpecker has a small, compact body with a black-and-white patterned back and a white belly. It has a short, chisel-like bill and a small tuft of red on the back of its head (in males). Its size is often compared to that of a sparrow.

Downy woodpeckers are found in a wide variety of habitats, including forests, suburbs, and parks. They are carnivores and their diet consists of a wide variety of insects, especially those found in trees. They use their short, strong beak to drill into wood and their long, barbed tongue to pull out insects.

Downy woodpeckers are known for their ability to cling to the side of trees and branches. They are a common visitor to bird feeders, where they will eat suet. They are also known for their drumming, a rapid pecking on a tree trunk that they use to communicate with other woodpeckers.