Downy Woodpecker
 |
Click on picture for great link
|
The downy woodpecker is a small, beautiful bird. It has a black and white head and black eyes. Its crown and short bill are also black. Its tail has black with white bars. It has short gray legs. The male has a red spot on the back of its head. The downy can grow to 6 to 6 1/2 inches long. Downy woodpeckers live all over the United States and Canada. They live in woodlands parks and near backyard feeders. They make their nests in tree holes lined with wood chips. They make their nests by pecking out the hole, especially in dead trees. Males do most of the digging. They may start more than one hole before the female makes her choice.
The downy woodpecker eats seeds, grain, suet and insects. They especially like suet feeders. It hammers a tree to get insects. Males chase away any bird that tries to feed near them. When they are feeding their babies, they will eat caterpillars, moths and some small wild fruit. The downy woodpecker is a climber. It has strong, short legs and strong claws. Its nesting season is in May and June. The female lays 4 to 5 white eggs. They have one brood of babies a year. The female lays on the eggs 1 1 to 12 days. Both parents fed the babies for 20 to 25 days after they are born. Downys "molt" (lose and replace their feathers) every year. They have several different calls. Their enemies are hawks, snakes and squirrels. There are 198 different kinds of woodpeckers in the world. The downy is the most common North American woodpecker. Knock! Knock! The downy woodpecker hammers its beak into a tree to dig out insects. They have barbed tongues which they use to pull insects out of the holes. Males sit on the eggs at night. The female sleeps in another tree hole at this time.
by
Janel and Jamie
