Downy Woodpeckers Picoides pubescens
New York, Chicago, and Denver

The Downy Woodpecker is the most common North American woodpecker, and is also the smallest at approximately 6.5 inches (16 centimeters) in length.

The species breeds over a widespread area encompassing most of North America, except for the extreme Southwest and areas above the treeline. Six recognized races of Downy Woodpecker exist and are separated by -

• size - northern races are larger
• amount of white on body - Alaskan and northwestern Canadian races are very pale overall
• lack of white on wing - northwestern and western races have little white on their wings

Male - Central Park, New York, April 2006

 

---

 

Male - Central Park, New York, April 2006

 

---

 

Female - Central Park, New York, April 2006

 

---

 

Male - Starved Rock State Park, Illinois, March 2006

 

---

 

Female - Denver, Colorado, October 2005

All photos copyright Charlie Moores