Downy Woodpecker

These small, checkered black-and-white feathers belong to North America's smallest woodpecker. The bird is known for its white back patch and the male's small red spot on the nape. It measures roughly 6 inches with a 10-12 inch wingspan.

Bold black base coloration with distinct, square-to-rounded white spots (checkered) along both the inner and outer vanes.

Tightly interlocked (pennaceous) throughout most of the vane to provide lift and flight stability; minor plumulaceous barbs at the base.

Relatively stiff and smooth; matte finish with a slight natural gloss characteristic of healthy melanin-rich feathers.

Distinctive 'piano key' white spots on a black background; small size compared to Hairy Woodpeckers; stiff rachis for flight.

Found in deciduous forests, woodlots, residential yards, parklands, and orchards; often follows rivers and streams.

Year-round resident throughout most of North America, from Alaska and Canada down through the continental United States to the Gulf of Mexico.

Primary insectivore, especially beneficial for controlling wood-boring beetles; also creates nesting cavities used later by secondary cavity-nesters like bluebirds.

Hairy Woodpecker (feathers are significantly larger); Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (markings are more elongated or irregular).

The Downy Woodpecker is nearly identical in plumage to the larger Hairy Woodpecker, an example of convergent evolution or social mimicry. They also have specialized feathers covering their nostrils to protect them from wood dust.

Good condition; the vanes are mostly intact without significant wear or 'fault bars' from nutritional stress.