THE DOWNY WOODPECKER PICOCIDES PUBESCENS -BY SOPHIE

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Downy woodpeckers range from 14 cm -18 cm (5.5 in-7.1 in) in length. Their wingspan ranges from 25 cm-31 cm (9.8 in-12 in) in length. They live about 6 years.

Downy woodpeckers are the the smallest of all woodpeckers. Their plumage is a mix of black and white. Both male and females have a white upper back chest and lower tail feathers. Their wings, lower back and upper tail feathers are black with white spots. Their heads have thick black and white stripes. Male downy woodpeckers have a red patch on their head. Juveniles have more of a red cap. As you can see from the photo, female downy woodpeckers don’t have either. Downy woodpeckers found in West Washington, have more of a tannish color instead of white, which East Washington downy woodpeckers have.

female downy male downy woodpecker

Female downy Male downy woodpecker woodpecker

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Fast Facts

There are three different recognized sub-species of downy woodpeckers.

1. Those found in eastern Washington

2. Those found along the eastern slopes of the cascades

3. Those found in western Washington.

Downy woodpeckers typically inhabit broadleaved and mixed forests especially those with black cotton wood and willow. They are also found in residential areas, along rivers, by streams, in orchards, cities and parks. Downy wood peckers are permanent residents in most places. Sometimes the northern downy woodpeckers move south or to a lower elevation, but not usually. They are common and are wide spread throughout Washington.

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Downy woodpeckers mainly eat insects like ants, beetle larvae and caterpillars. They also feed on berries, nuts and grains. Downy woodpeckers are common at bird feeders and are occasionally found at at humming bird feeders.

This is a male downy wood pecker eating a grub.

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Nesting facts o Clutch size-3-8

eggs

o Egg length- 0.7-0.8 in (1.9-2 cm)

o Egg width- 0.6-0.6 in (1.4-1.5 cm)

o Incubation period-12 days

o Nesting period-18-21 days

o Egg description-pure white

o Condition at birth- naked pink skin, a sharp egg tooth (for breaking egg shell.) at tip of bill, eyes closed.

Nest placement

Downy woodpeckers nest in dead trees of dead parts of live trees. They tend to choose a small stub (about 7 in in diameter) and place the entrance on the underside.

Nest description

Both male and female downy woodpeckers carve out the inside of the chosen tree or branch to make a cavity about the size of a football (6-12 in deep). This job takes about 1-3 week. The cavity widens toward the bottom to make room for the eggs (and the parents) The bottom is lined with woodchips. Downy woodpeckers sometimes camouflage the entrance of their nest with lichen or moss.

THE DOWNY WOODPECKER-NATURAL AND HUMAN THREATS

Downy woodpeckers are very abundant and have very few threats. There conservation status is of the least concern. The shift from wooden to metal fence posts may have reduced their numbers, but not much else has.

You can help downy Woodpeckers by, o Leave out birdfeederso Planting trees around your

neighborhood o Don’t cut down dead trees! Leave

them so downy woodpeckers (and other birds) can nest in them.

Natural and human threats How we can help

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Fast Facts

Woodpeckers are important clan crest for northern tribes. They are also sometimes found on totem poles. some Californian tribes consider woodpeckers as medicine birds

There are many Native American stories about woodpeckers. Woodpeckers are a symbol of wisdom and perseverance. Male downy woodpecker’s red patches on their heads are said to be a badge of courage and are the Native American symbol for bravery. They are also considered to be lucky birds.

Woodpecker storieso The Story of The Maple Tree - Lenape folklore about a woodpecker and a maple tree helping each other

o When Coyote imitated the woodpecker - Caddo tribe legend about coyote imitating the woodpecker o The Legend of the woodpecker - An Odawa Indian story about woodpeckers o Master Rabbit and the Woodpeckers -Mi’kmaq legend about a rabbit trying (and failing) to imatate the woodpecker

BIBLIOGRAPHYo Boring, Mel, and Linda Garrow. "Downy Woodpeckers." Birds, Nests, and Eggs. Milwaukee, WI: Gareth Stevens, 1998. N. pag. Print. o "Common Birds of the Pacific Northwest." Rainier Audubon Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 May 2013. o Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Cornell University, n.d. Web. 21 May 2013o "Distribution of Downy Woodpecker." Birdzilla.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2013. Websiteo "Downy Woodpecker." All About Birds. Cornell University, n.d. Web. 21 May 2013o "Downy Woodpecker." Bird Web. Seattle Audubon Society, n.d. Web. 22 May 2013o   "Downy Woodpecker." Wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2013o Mann, Charly. "The Downy Woodpecker - A Symbol for Courage." Oklahoma Birds and

Butterflies. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2013o "Native American Woodpecker Mythology." Native American Indian Woodpecker

Legends, Meaning and Symbolism from the Myths of Many Tribes. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2013.

o "Weeks Bay Reserve Foundation Photo Album -Woodpecker Photos." Weeks Bay Reserve Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2013.

o  "Woodpecker Medicine." Woodpecker Medicine. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2013.