Rural Perspectives: Downy woodpeckers have special head padding to absorb impact

The male downy woodpecker has a red patch on the back of his head, but the female does not. Photo by Diane Constable

by Diane Constable

The friendly downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) is the smallest of the six species of woodpeckers found in our area. They can be found in many habitats all across the country, from woodlands to farmlands to urban lands.

Downy woodpeckers are just 6 to 7 inches tall and weigh less than an ounce. The one pictured here is a male. The female downy woodpecker does not have the red patch on the back of her head.

Downys mate for life, and in the spring, they build a nest in a tree hollow and lay three to six white eggs. The chicks hatch out after about 12 days, and in another 21 days they leave the nest. The parents then split them up. The male will care and watch over half of the fledglings for another three weeks, while the female takes care of the rest.

These woodpeckers are beneficial. Their diet is about 75% insects, including many harmful insects such as corn earworms, apple borers and others which can seriously damage trees. They drill into the tree and use their 4-inch barbed tongue to reach into the hole to pull out the grub. Downy woodpeckers are easily attracted to bird feeders supplied with suet. They also like sunflower seeds.

Fun Facts: Downy woodpeckers have special feathers around their nostrils to filter out wood chips. Their skulls have a special pad of spongy material to absorb the force of hammering a tree at up to 10 times per minute. It is no surprise they are a symbol of bravery and hard work!

Diane Gray Constable