Virtual Tour: Echo Hill: Environmental Education Area

Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens). The Downy Woodpecker is the most common North American woodpecker and breeds over most of North America, with the exception of the extreme Southwest and areas below the treeline. It is 15-17 cm long, and contrasting black and white in appearance. As you can see from the picture, its back is completely white, however it's tail maintains black bands all the way down, in contrast to the Hairy Woodpecker, whose tail is white. Male Downy Woodpeckers have a red patch on the back of their heads, while females do not.