Downy Woodpecker

A small, active woodpecker characterized by a white back and spotted wings. This tail feather shows the distinctive 'spat' of white that marks the outer tail of the Downy, as opposed to the solid white outer tail of some larger relatives.

Solid black to brownish-black base with prominent, crisp white oval spots or bars on both the inner and outer vanes near the tip and edges

Densely packed pennaceous barbs for rigidity, with a small plumulaceous section at the superior umbilicus near the base

Relatively stiff and smooth; the distal end feels slightly abrasive to provide traction against tree bark

Crisp white spots on a black background and a stiffened rachis; significantly smaller than the feathers of the nearly identical Hairy Woodpecker

Deciduous and mixed forests, woodlots, orchards, and urban parks with mature trees and bird feeders

Year-round resident across most of North America, from Alaska and Canada south to the Gulf Coast and California

Primary cavity nester and insectivore; helps control wood-boring beetle populations and provides nesting sites for secondary cavity users

Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus), which has similarly patterned but larger tail feathers that typically lack the dark spotting on the outer white vanes

The Downy Woodpecker uses its stiff tail feathers as a third 'leg' or tripod to stabilize itself while drumming or excavating nests in wood

Good condition; minor fraying at the base suggests it was naturally molted; no visible fault bars or parasite damage