Bird Guide

Downy Woodpecker vs Nuttall's Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)

Downy Woodpecker

Dryobates pubescens

Small26 gWoodland

Adult downy woodpeckers are the smallest of North America's woodpeckers, but there are many smaller species elsewhere, especially the piculets. The total length of the species ranges from 14 to 18 cm (5.5 to 7.1 in) and the wingspan from 25 to 31 cm (9.8 to 12.2 in). Body mass ranges from 20 to 33 g (0.71 to 1.16 oz). Standard measurements are as follows: the wing chord is 8.5–10 cm (3.3–3.9 in), the tail is 4–6 cm (1.6–2.4 in), the bill is 1–1.8 cm (0.39–0.71 in) and the tarsus is 1.1–1.7 cm (0.43–0.67 in). Voice: The downy woodpecker gives a number of vocalizations, including a short pik call. The rattle-call is a short burst that sounds similar to a bouncing ball, while that of the hairy woodpecker is a shorter burst of the same amplitude. Like other woodpeckers, it also produces a drumming sound (sounds like four taps ) with its beak as it pecks into trees.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Jonathon Jongsma · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: ShenandoahNPS · Public domain
Nuttall's Woodpecker (Dryobates nuttallii)

Nuttall's Woodpecker

Dryobates nuttallii

Small37 gWoodland

Nuttall's woodpecker has striped black and white patterned wings and tail feathers with white. Its undercarriage is a primarily white coat with a few spotted black regions. It has a black forehead with white streaks on the sides and an unbarred black region at the top of the back. Adult males have a distinguishable red crown which females do not. However, this physical feature is present in the juvenile of both sexes. Juvenile birds look nearly identical to adults, excluding that juveniles typically have some white color in the form of streaks on their heads. Voice: Vocalizations performed by Nuttall's woodpecker are considered to be not of any harmonic. Some vocalizations have been described: Call note: used between mated pairs to communicate their location to each other. Double call: same function as call note can but also be used as a low threat alarm call.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Jonathon Jongsma · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Missvain · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Downy Woodpecker and Nuttall's Woodpecker.