Wild Bird Species Profiles

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Downy Woodpecker

Picoides pubescens

Downy Woodpecker

What’s not to like about a Downy Woodpecker! This handsome, active, vocal species is our smallest and most widespread woodpecker, found year-round from coast to coast. Decked out in black and white, the red patch on the nape of the males is the only color contrast. This red is the method for differentiating the guys from the gals. In females the color is absent. Fine. Now, how do you tell a Downy from a Hairy woodpecker? Seen side by side, the Downy is two-thirds the size of the Hairy. Only one in view? Check the bill length relative to the depth of the head. The Downy has a bill which is shorter than the depth of the head. In the case of a Hairy Woodpecker, the bill is almost equal to the head depth.

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Hairy Woodpecker

Picoides villosus

Female Hairy Woodpecker

For many people, seeing and enjoying woodpeckers is justification enough for feeding birds at a backyard feeder. Their distinctive forms compared to perching birds are easy to recognize. The contrasting black and white plumage is viewable without binoculars. Their clear vocalizations are easily heard. A favorite among favorites is the handsome, Hairy Woodpecker.

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Pileated Woodpecker

Dryocopus pileatus

Pileated Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpeckers are larger-than-life birds! Everything about them is big and bold. At 16-17 inches, they are the largest North American woodpecker we regularly encounter. Their plumage is striking in appearance. Their loud vocalizations ring out through the woodlands. No wonder the Pileated Woodpecker was the model for that famous cartoon character created by Ben “Bugs” Hardaway.

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Wild Birds