The concert season for percussionists of the bird world has begun…starring woodpeckers.
Mike Blevins
Downy Woodpecker, female
From early spring to mid-summer these talented drummers perform different styles depending on their purpose and audience. The slower, softer taps interspersed with pauses indicate either nest building or food hunting. Technically proficient, rapid sounds attract mates and/or establish territory. For the latter, the Downy Woodpecker has been clocked at 16 to 17 beats per second!
Both females and males drum, excavate the nest site cavity and feed and raise the nestlings.
Acrobatic in food gathering, the Downy Woodpecker is also fond of suet, sunflower seeds and the occasional sip from hummingbird feeders. With a regular food supply, they are quickly becoming members of the backyard bird feeder family.
In many First Nation cultures, the woodpecker symbolizes the “heartbeat of the Earth” and the black, white and red colors on the head remind us that clarity can be found when we use our mental abilities.
Mike Blevins
Downy Woodpecker, male
Fun Facts
An almost identical twin to the Downy is the Hairy Woodpecker. The latter is a bit larger (9.25 inches) with a larger bill that lacks a conspicuous tuft of tiny bristles at the nasal area. (You’ll want to focus the bins to see that last bit!)
How to Identify a Downy Woodpecker
As our smallest woodpecker, the Downy measures 6.75 inches and both sexes have whitish-gray underparts with white in the center of a black back and black-and-white spotted wings and outer tail feathers. The males have a signature red patch at the nape; females do not.
Downy Woodpecker Habitat
Found in several habitats including wild spaces, second-growth and suburban yards.
Conservation Note
Populations are stable.
ABOUT THIS SERIES:
“Birds of the Blue Ridge” showcases frequently seen and rare birds across the southern Appalachian region. For over four decades, Angela Minor has traveled with binoculars and field guides across the continental U.S., Alaska, the Caribbean and seven European countries. She is a contributing editor with BRC magazine and a freelance writer, penning travel and nature feature articles for several regional and national print publications. Angela created and authored the state park birding series for Bird Watcher’s Digest.
Read More by Angela Minor: BlueRidgeCountry.com/AngelaMinor