Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)

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Photo by MaryEvans2

Published on Project Noah

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30.4381, -84.2809

Field Notes

Description:

checkered black-and-white impression. The black upperparts are checked with white on the wings, the head is boldly striped, and the back has a broad white stripe down the center. Males have a small red patch on the back of the head. The outer tail feathers are typically white with a few black spots.

Habitat:

open woodlands, orchards, city parks, backyards and vacant lots.

Notes:

The downy and hairy woodpeckers are a bit tricky to tell apart. I am saying this one is a downy due to the size and shape of its beak. I didn't get the chance to see the entire bird so hard to know just how big (or little) it was. This is a male as it does have a red spot behind the head..which I tried to capture and shows in the second photo.

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/downy_woodpecker/id/ac