The Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) is the smallest and one of the most common woodpecker species found across North America. Measuring about 5.5 to 7 inches long, it is easily recognizable by its black and white checkered plumage, a prominent white stripe down its back, and the male’s small red patch on the nape. Their small size allows them to forage on smaller branches, but their nesting strategy relies on excavating a secure cavity in wood. The location and design of this self-made nest are central to the species’ reproductive success.
Preferred Habitat and Tree Selection
Downy Woodpeckers are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of environments, including open woodlands, deciduous forests, orchards, parks, and suburban backyards. They are common residents across most of the United States and Canada, avoiding only the most arid southwestern deserts and northern tundra. When selecting a nesting site, the bird looks for specific conditions that make the excavation process manageable.
The preferred host material is almost always dead wood or a dead section of a live tree, such as a snag or a limb. This material is often wood softened by fungal decay, which significantly reduces the energy required to create the cavity. They tend to choose smaller stubs, sometimes averaging only about seven inches in diameter, a size requirement their larger relatives cannot meet. Deciduous trees like poplar, birch, and ash are often favored, and the birds may select trees in areas with ample light, such as forest edges or openings.
Excavating the Nest Cavity
The construction of the nest cavity is a joint effort, with both the male and female contributing to the digging, though the male typically performs the majority of the work. The entire excavation process can take anywhere from one to three weeks, depending on the hardness of the wood. They often begin by creating several starter holes before the female selects the final location for the nest.
The entrance hole is deliberately kept small and round, measuring approximately 1 to 1.5 inches across, which serves to deter larger predators and competitors. The cavity itself typically extends 6 to 12 inches deep into the wood, widening toward the bottom to create a small chamber for the eggs. Unlike many other birds, the Downy Woodpecker does not bring in soft materials for a nest lining, instead relying on a bed of wood chips created during the excavation process.
Nesting Season and Raising Young
The nesting season generally begins in late spring, with breeding pairs forming as early as late winter, typically from January through March. Once the cavity is complete, the female will lay a clutch of three to eight white eggs, with four or five being the most common number. Eggs are laid at a rate of about one per day.
Incubation lasts for about 12 days, with both parents sharing the duties, though the male is responsible for incubating overnight. After hatching, the young are entirely dependent on their parents. Both adults work to feed the rapidly growing nestlings, bringing them a steady diet of insects. The young remain in the cavity for 18 to 21 days before they are ready to fledge. Even after leaving the nest, the parents will continue to care for and feed the fledglings for up to three more weeks.