Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)

The Downy Woodpecker is a small and bold woodpecker that can be found near human residence. The back, crown, the back of eyes, bill, legs and feet, and tail woodpecker are black and its underneath is white. The black flight feathers are marked with white spots. The male has a red spot on the back of its head.

The under-tail feathers of the Downy Woodpecker has black markings on white, which is a field marker to tell apart from the Hairy Woodpecker which shares similar appearances. The photo shows the zygodactyl foot of the woodpecker having two toes go forward and other two toes backward, holding on trees tightly in between.

New Marlborough, MA
2009-10-21

This individual was attracted by the peanuts on the bird feeder. The woodpecker is quite bold that it could peck on houses and trees nearby.