Montana Field Guide

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Montana Field Guides

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- Kingdom - Animals - Animalia
  - Phylum - Vertebrates - Craniata
    - Class - Birds - Aves
      - Order - Woodpeckers - Piciformes
        
        Family - Woodpeckers - Picidae
        
        Species - Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens

Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens

Global Rank: G5
State Rank: S5

Agency Status
USFWS: none
USFS: none
BLM: none
CFWCS Tier: 3
PIF: 3

General Description

Sexes similar for the most part. Only difference is males have a bright red spot on the back of their head. White and black striped face. White under-belly with black and white checked wings. Relatively small size with smaller, stubbier bill.

General Distribution

Montana Range

Western Hemisphere Range

Summary of Observations Submitted for Montana

Number of Observations: 2026

(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version) Map Help and Descriptions

Relative Density

Recency

Breeding
(direct evidence "B")

Breeding
(indirect evidence "b")

No evidence of Breeding
(transient "t")

Overwintering
(regular observations "W")

Overwintering
(at least one obs. "w")

(Records associated with a range of dates are excluded from time charts)

Migration

In Bozeman area, vertical movements observed in fall.

Habitat

Prefers open riparian and deciduous woodlands throughout its entire range. Also uses wooden human-made structures in urban areas.

Food Habits

Diet consists of insects, fruits, seeds, and tree sap.

Ecology

Reproductive Characteristics

Flying young seen in Jul near Fortine . Statewide nesting occurs in Jun. Possible multiple broods with four to five eggs per brood. Incubation period twelve days. Young able to fly 20-25 days after hatch.

Citation for data on this website:
Downy Woodpecker — Picoides pubescens. Montana Field Guide. Retrieved on February 9, 2010, from http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/detail_ABNYF07030.aspx