Downy’s are spirited birds that are fun to watch as they energetically move through the landscape. This little bird has bold black and white markings, and the male has a red patch on the back of its head. Despite its pronounced field marks, I usually hear one before I see it. I’ll hear tapping sounds as it explores for insects and larvae inside the wood and under the bark of small, tree limbs. I also frequently hear it make a call note which Peterson describes as “a flat pick, not as sharp as the Hairy’s peek!” (It can be tricky to distinguish these sounds.) I have been seeing downy woodpeckers throughout the arboretum all winter. I am looking forward to hopefully finding a nest this spring.
