Downy woodpecker
A small black-and-white woodpecker that also lives in town trees.
NPS says downy woodpeckers are 6 to 7 inches long, with a white chest, black-and-white back and a red nape on males. They prefer wooded areas but also live in cities where deciduous trees such as aspens or willows grow.
The diet is mostly insects, especially beetles and ants, with some seeds and berries. NPS notes that downies camouflage their nest entrance by surrounding it with fungus or lichen, a trick that helps protect it from predators.
The hairy woodpecker looks similar but is larger and has a long bill, so compare size and bill rather than plumage alone. A red crown patch can mark young birds, so avoid treating it as a rule.
How to recognize it
Small black-and-white woodpecker with a short bill and a white chest; males have a red nape.
Watching and staying safe
Watch from trails and leave nest holes alone.
Places the sources name
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