• The persistent drumming of the Downy Woodpecker (6" long) is a welcome sign that winter will soon come to an end.

• In mid-winter pairs have overlapping territories but lead separate lives.

• In late winter they begin to coordinate their activities, each drumming from one of several favorite trees.

• In spring territorial and courtship behaviors increase.

• Displays toward mate bill waving, wing raising, and chasing up trees, all accompanied by load calls.

• The nest is a cavity in a rotten tree, carved primarily by the male.

Identification:

• Downy Woodpeckers have white backs and under parts and black wings with white spots.

• Their bold black-and-white facial patterns vary.

• Males have a red nape patch.

• Females have no nape patch.

• Downy bill length is about half the head width.

Habitat:

• Open and dense woodlands.

• Farmland.

• Suburbs.

• Visits suet feeders.

Voice:

• Familiar calls include a sharp peek! and a high-pitched, descending whinny.

• An excited queek-queek-queek is given during courtship.

• Both sexes drum on resonant wood, producing a rapid outburst lasting about a second.

Range:

• Year-round resident throughout the United States and much of sub arctic Canada.