![]() A log suet feeder works great not only for Downy and other woodpeckers, but chickadees and nuthatches as well. A suet feeder or peanut feeder is a great way to entice woodpeckers to a backyard feeding station and they will occasionally come to a feeder stocked with a mix containing sunflower chips or peanuts. The woodpecker’s common method of searching within tree bark for bugs is well known though they will also eat berries and nuts if available. The diet of the Downy Woodpecker consists mostly of insects, even in the wintertime. Downy beats are roughly 17 drums per second, whereas Hairy beats are around 25 per. Additionally, Hairy woodpeckers have a faster drumming beat when they’re pecking at trees. It also consumes various types of nuts as part of its diet such as acorns and beechnuts. The woodpecker feeds on a wide variety of insects including beetles, caterpillars, ants and grasshoppers. The Hairy woodpecker’s call is louder, sharper and more transient. The downy woodpecker is an omnivore and its diet consists of insects, nuts, berries and seeds. Like all other woodpeckers, the Downy uses a cavity in a tree trunk to nest. The Downy woodpecker’s call is a soft and whiny high-pitched chirp that some describe as friendly. Compare this to nuthatches that use only their feet. As with all woodpeckers, the Downy uses its tail feathers as a prop, almost like a kangaroo uses its tail, to balance on a tree trunk. Their diet also consists of berries, grains, and acorns, which are larger components in the winter, compared to the summer. They are permanent residents that do not migrate and their habitat and range covers most of North America. Habitat and Habitsĭowny Woodpeckers will inhabit any type of wooded area and are one of the more commonly seen woodpecker species. With practice it becomes easier to tell the two species apart. The Downy Woodpecker has a shorter, smaller bill that is shorter than the depth of the head. Hairy Woodpeckers have a longer and more substantial bill that is very close in length to the depth of the head. Size can be difficult to judge so I compare the size of the bill relative to the head. Downies are only about 6–7″ long, just a little bigger than a House Sparrow, whereas Hairies are 9–10″ long, nearly the size of a skinny robin. Downy or Hairy Woodpecker?ĭowny Woodpeckers look very similar to the larger Hairy Woodpecker. The Downy uses its strong, chisel-shaped bill to excavate wood in search of dinner and to make a nest cavity. These outer white tail feathers will often show black spots on Downy Woodpeckers. This woodpecker has a mostly black tail with white outer feathers. The male has a red spot on the back of his head whereas females do not. When drumming, Downies hit the substrate about 16-17 times per second. Downys have a black and white spotted appearance with a white belly. The Downy is the smallest North American woodpecker, and the most common (based on BBS and CBC data.) Their tongue is coated with sticky mucus to help nab small insects. The Downy Woodpecker is our smallest woodpecker. Share Trx_addons_twitter Trx_addons_facebook E-mail ![]()
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