Bird of the Week – Downy Woodpecker
Continuing with woodpeckers, this is Alaska’s smallest woodpecker, and probably the most common year round.
Downy Woodpecker Male, Fairbanks
In many ways, the Downy is a smaller version of the Hairy, with similar patterning. But the Downy is much smaller, and has a proportionately smaller bill. The male has the red barring on the back of his head shown here. The female does not.
Downy Woodpecker Female in a nest cavity (photo by Mrs. WC)
Interior Alaska, where these birds were photographed, is near the northerly limits for this species, but the range of Downys is huge. In fact, they are found in all 49 continental states and all of the Canadian provinces.
Like Hairy and Three-toed Woodpeckers, Downy Woodpeckers are year-round residents.
For more bird photos, please visit Frozen Feather Images.