British Columbia Outdoor Wilderness Guide
Downy Woodpecker
Picoides pubescens
Description - This sparrow-sized bird is black
and white with a short, stubby bill. The male has a small
red patch on the nape. The voice is a quiet "pik" and
a descending rattle.
Distribution - This woodpecker occurs from Alaska
across Canada and south throughout the United States except
in the southwest. They prefer woodlands, parks and gardens.
Biology - When feeding, the male chisels deep into
the wood of a tree with its large, strong bill searching
for insects; the female, whose bill is shorter, pries
under the bark thus enabling the pair to share food resources
without competition. The nest is made in a hole in a tree
where 4-5 white eggs are laid.
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