#Downy woodpecker phylum Patch
#Downy woodpecker phylum series

Those spots can be difficult to see except at close range or if the tail is slightly flared. Tail: The stiff tail has a slightly forked tip and shows small black spots on the outer tail feathers.This zygodactyl foot allows them to easily climb and grasp trees and other structures. Feet: The feet have two forward-facing toes and one backward-facing toe.

#Downy woodpecker phylum series

The wings may appear spotted and the white spots could give the impression of a series of wing bars, though the spots continue to the wingtip.

#Downy woodpecker phylum Patch

Upperparts: The upperparts are mottled black and white, with a wide white patch in the center of the back.

Underparts: The underparts are plain, unmarked white without barring, streaks, or color washes of any kind.

Males have a red patch at the back of the head, but females are only black and white.

Nape: The black nape of the female downy woodpecker is her identifying gender clue.

The base has a fluff of rictal bristles, and the bill is often used for drumming or prying along the bark of a tree to seek out insects. Bill: The short, nubby bill is less than half the length of the head.Size is still a major clue for these birds and they have a petite and delicate appearance, but other clues to identify a female downy woodpecker when size cannot be accurately judged include: The end of the tail is slightly forked and there are faint black spots on the outer white feathers, though these can be difficult to see except at close range.įemale downy woodpeckers look very similar to males and offer a range of clues to both their species and gender. Tail: The bird's tail is stiff and straight, acting as a brace for balancing while scaling tree trunks or branches.Depending on how the bird is perched, the toe orientation can be difficult to determine, but the color can be a good identification clue. Feet: The feet are gray-black with a zygodactyl configuration, with two toes pointing forward and one toe pointing backward.The dark back has a prominent white patch in the center that can be easily seen on a foraging bird. Upperparts: The wings are black with white spotting that forms a series of lines along the length of the wing.

Underparts: The breast, abdomen and flanks of the downy woodpecker are a plain, clear white without any spotting or barring.

Female downy woodpeckers do not have the red patch. The very back of the head will have a red patch, but that patch does not extend onto the crown.

Nape: The red nape is the clue to the bird's gender.

Check the bird's profile to get the best estimate of bill length.

Bill: Downy woodpeckers have a short, nub-like bill that is less than half the length of their head, and the base may be obscured by fluffy rictal bristles.

When a male downy woodpecker comes to visit, look for these clues to be sure of the species: Comparing the size of the bird to the size of a feeder, tree branch, or fence post can be helpful, but knowing its field marks will help confirm the bird's identity. While size is one of the best ways to identify a downy woodpecker, it can be a challenge to judge a bird's size without a proper frame of reference.

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