Downy woodpeckers are small birds that are commonly found across North America. They are black and white in color with distinctive black and white stripes down their back. One of the most recognizable features of downy woodpeckers is the red spot found on the back of the head of adult males. This bright red patch makes the downy woodpecker easy to identify. However, while the red patch is a useful identification marker, not all downy woodpeckers have this red spot.
The red marking on the heads of downy woodpeckers is found only on adult males. Females and juvenile birds do not have the red patch. Additionally, even among adult males, the red spot may not always be present or clearly visible. Some factors that can affect the appearance of the red marking include time of year and overall health and condition of the bird.
Physical Description
Downy woodpeckers are the smallest woodpeckers found in North America. They measure between 5.5 to 7 inches in length with wingspans between 9 to 11 inches. Their bodies are covered in black and white barred plumage. The back and wings of downy woodpeckers display distinctive black and white stripes. Downy woodpeckers have a mostly white underside and breast.
In addition to size and plumage markings, several other key physical features characterize the downy woodpecker:
Bill
The bill of the downy woodpecker is short, straight and chisel-like. This allows them to bore into trees in search of insects. The bill is also adapted for excavating nesting cavities in dead trees.
Feet
Like other woodpeckers, downy woodpeckers have four toes – two pointing forward and two pointing backward. Their feet have sharp claws which provide grip and stability when climbing vertically up tree trunks.
Tail
The downy woodpecker’s tail feathers are stiff and pointed. Their tails provide additional support, almost like a third leg, when perched on the sides of trees. The tail is mostly black with white outer tail feathers.
Head
The head has bold black and white markings with a white stripe above the eye. Adult males can be identified by the presence of a red patch on the back of the head. However, not all males consistently display this marking. The red head patch is absent in female downy woodpeckers and juveniles.
Range and Habitat
Downy woodpeckers have an extensive range across the United States, southern Canada and the mountain forests of Mexico. They are year-round residents across most of their range.
Region | Range |
---|---|
United States | Found across nearly all states year-round. Absent only in part of California, Nevada, Utah and New Mexico. More common in woodlands of eastern states. |
Canada | Permanent resident across southern Canada from British Columbia to Nova Scotia. |
Mexico | Found in higher elevation pine and pine-oak forests of northern to central Mexico. |
Downy woodpeckers occupy a variety of wooded habitats including deciduous forests, mixed forests, parks, orchards and woodlots. They prefer areas with dead standing trees that provide nesting sites. Downies are able to adapt well to human activity and will visit backyard feeders.
Behavior and Diet
Downy woodpeckers are active and acrobatic little birds. They can be seen nimbly climbing up, down and around the trunks and branches of trees searching for food. Some key behaviors and traits include:
Foraging
Downies mainly eat insects but also consume seeds and berries. They find insects by probing in crevices of tree bark, excavating decaying wood and examining the undersides of leaves. Common foods include beetle larvae, ants, caterpillars, spiders and insect eggs.
Breeding
Breeding occurs early spring. Males will attract females with drumming and call displays. Downy woodpeckers nest in cavity holes they drill into dead trees. They may also use old nest holes created by other woodpeckers.
Communication
Common vocalizations include a distinctive high-pitched “pik” call. They also communicate using drumming patterns on wood and tree branches.
Behavior
Male and female downy woodpeckers assist each other in raising young. However, they generally forage on their own. Downies are feisty birds and will chase away larger competitors. They are frequent visitors to backyard bird feeders.
Plumage and the Red Head Marking
As described earlier, the plumage pattern of black and white stripes on the back combined with a mostly white underside and spots distinguish the downy woodpecker. The most striking marking found on some downy woodpeckers is the red patch found on the back of the head of adult males. This red spot is an important feature used to identify male downies. However, there are some additional details regarding the red head marking:
Timing of Red Head Marking
Male downy woodpeckers do not obtain the red marking until their second year. Juvenile birds will not have any red on their heads.
Color Variation
The color of the red varies from bright red to a dull rusty red. Lighting conditions and time since molting can affect how vivid the color is.
Incomplete Markings
On some male downies, the red patch may only be partially present or faint in coloration. Not all males have a complete solid red patch.
Seasonal Changes
The red head patch fades after breeding season and is brightest right before breeding. It may be less prominent in late summer and fall.
Absence in Females and Young Birds
As mentioned earlier, only adult males can have this marking. Females and juveniles display no red on their heads.
So while a bright red patch can definitively identify a male downy woodpecker, the marking is inconsistent. Not all males will have it and some may have only a faint red patch. Lighting conditions, time of year and age affect the appearance. The absence of any red on the head does not rule out the bird being a male downy woodpecker.
How Common is the Red Head Marking in Downy Woodpecker Males?
Sources vary on exactly how frequently the red marking appears on male downy woodpeckers. Some key statistics include:
- 75-90% of adult males display at least some amount of red on the back of the head
- 10-25% of males may lack the red patch entirely
- The red marking can be difficult to see in low light conditions
- The brightness and completeness of the red varies seasonally, with molting and age
So while the red head patch is a useful field mark for identifying male downy woodpeckers, its presence cannot be guaranteed. The absence of red does not rule out an adult male downy. Females and young downy woodpeckers never display any red marking.
How Does the Red Marking Develop?
The red feathers on the heads of male downy woodpeckers are the result of a process called carotenoid pigmentation. Carotenoids are naturally occurring pigments that produce red, orange and yellow colors in birds. These pigments are acquired through the diet and are deposited into growing feathers.
The specific process by which male downies obtain red markings is:
Dietary carotenoids
By eating carotenoid-rich foods, mainly insects, males accumulate carotenoid pigments. Females also eat these foods but divert the pigments to egg production rather than feather deposition.
Dedicated red patch feathers
At the end of breeding, males molt feathers within a dedicated red patch region on the back of the head. This dedicated feather tract is primed to accumulate more carotenoids.
Carotenoid concentration
Carotenoids are concentrated within the follicles of the new red patch feathers as they regrow. This results in brighter red coloring.
Display of red feathers
By early spring, males have a new set of feathers in the red patch that appear bright red and are used for displaying to attract females.
Fading of color
The brightness of the red fades over time after the breeding season. The cycle repeats again with molting at the end of summer.
Red Marking is Used for Signaling and Display
The red head patch serves an important purpose for male downy woodpeckers beyond just identification. The red feathers are specifically used for displays and signaling:
Territory displays
Males use the prominent red patch to signal ownership and boundaries of their breeding territory. Prominent red markings assert dominance.
Sexual signaling
During courtship, males turn the back of the head towards females to highlight the red patch and attract a mate.
Parental identification
The red patch allows male and female mates to more easily identify each other when delivering food to nestlings.
Status signaling
Larger, brighter red patches indicate a higher status male who may have greater access to carotenoid-rich foods.
So the red head patch provides a communication advantage to males during breeding season. This helps explain why the mechanism has evolved and been maintained in male downy woodpeckers.
Conclusion
The red patch on the backs of the heads of male downy woodpeckers is a useful identification marker. However, its presence cannot be guaranteed since some males lack it entirely or display only a faint red coloration. Lighting, time of year and age further affect the appearance of the patch. While a distinctive field mark, the absence of any red feathers does not rule out identifying a downy woodpecker as male. Understanding the nuances of the red head marking in male downies can improve identification skills.