Downy Woodpecker

Description:

Adult Downy Woodpeckers are the smallest of North America's woodpeckers but there are many smaller species, especially the tiny, tropical piculets. The total length of the species can range from 14 to 18 cm (5.5 to 7.1 in) and the wingspan from 25 to 31 cm (9.8 to 12 in). Body mass ranges from 20 to 33 g (0.71 to 1.2 oz). Standard measurements are as follows: the wing chord is 8.5–10 cm (3.3–3.9 in), the tail is 4–6 cm (1.6–2.4 in), the bill is 1–1.8 cm (0.39–0.71 in) and the tarsus is 1.1–1.7 cm (0.43–0.67 in).[2][3][4] The Downy woodpecker is mainly black on the upperparts and wings, with a white back, throat and belly and white spotting on the wings. There is a white bar above the eye and one below. They have a black tail with white outer feathers barred with black. Adult males have a red patch on the back of the head whereas juvenile birds display a red cap.

Habitat:

small willow grove with a few pine trees

Notes:

A breeding pair of Downy Woodpeckers, actively breeding while we watched. Photo 5 is the female, which lacks the red on the back of the head.