Downy woodpeckers are small birds that are common across much of North America. In the summer, they can be found in forests, woodlots, and even suburban backyards. But when winter arrives, many downy woodpeckers migrate south to escape the cold and find sufficient food. So where exactly do downy woodpeckers go in the winter?
Downy Woodpecker Overview
The downy woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) is the smallest woodpecker in North America. Adults are only about 6-7 inches long with a wingspan of 11-13 inches. They have black and white plumage on their heads and wings, with white underparts. The wings and back are checkered black and white. Males have a small red patch on the back of their heads.
Downy woodpeckers are found across the United States and Canada, except for the treeless Arctic. They inhabit forests, especially deciduous forests, as well as woodlots, orchards, and suburban areas with trees. They mainly eat insects but will also consume berries, acorns, and sap.
Downy woodpeckers are non-migratory across much of their range. However, populations in Canada and the northern United States do migrate south for the winter. The timing and distance of migration depends on the severity of the winter weather.
Wintering Grounds
During the winter months, downy woodpeckers retreat from the far northern parts of their range and move south. They winter in two main regions:
Southeastern United States
Most migrating downy woodpeckers from the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada will spend the winter in the southeastern United States. This includes states such as Virginia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Some may go as far south as the Gulf Coast.
The southeast offers milder winter temperatures as well as abundant forests and woodlands that provide food and shelter for downy woodpeckers. Deciduous forests with oak, hickory, elm, maple, and other trees are prime habitat. Backyards with mature trees also attract wintering downy woodpeckers.
Southwestern United States and Mexico
Downy woodpeckers that breed in the northwestern and midwestern U.S., as well as much of central and western Canada, tend to migrate southwest for the winter. Their wintering grounds extend from California across the Southwest to Texas and south into Mexico.
Again, they seek out areas with moderate winter temperatures and plenty of trees. Deciduous forests, oak and pine woodlands, riparian areas, and suburban neighborhoods provide excellent winter habitat. The birds are often observed in city parks, groves of trees, golf courses, and similar wooded areas.
Migration Timing and Routes
The migration movements of downy woodpeckers are quite variable:
Fall Migration
Most downy woodpeckers begin migrating south between August and November. The exact timing depends on weather conditions and food availability. Typically they migrate earlier in northern areas like Canada and later in southern regions.
Young birds start migrating first, beginning in August and September, while adults with nesting territories wait longer before moving south. This staggered migration can continue into November.
Spring Migration
Return migration to the breeding grounds occurs between February and May. Adults tend to migrate first so they can establish nesting territories. They are followed by younger birds.
Weather is a major factor determining migration timing in spring. The woodpeckers will wait to migrate until food becomes available in the form of emerging insects, tree sap, and other foods.
Migration Route
There are no clearly defined migration routes for downy woodpeckers. Their movements seem to be influenced mainly by the availability of suitable habitat.
Banded birds have shown the tendency to migrate southwest or southeast depending on their nesting location. There may be some east/west separation, with birds west of the Rocky Mountains taking more southwestern routes.
Stopover Sites
Migrating downy woodpeckers will stop periodically during migration to rest and feed. They may remain at a stopover site for several days to a few weeks.
Preferred stopover habitat includes woodlots, wooded parks, riparian forests along rivers and streams, and suburban neighborhoods. The birds forage for insects, spiders, fruit, nuts, and sap during stopovers.
Winter Diet and Behavior
The behaviors and habitat use of downy woodpeckers change somewhat during the winter:
Food Resources
With insect prey less abundant in winter, downy woodpeckers rely more on nuts, acorns, fruit, and sap. They forage in trees and scour the bark for dormant insects and spider eggs. Backyard bird feeders may provide suet, peanuts, and other foods.
Roosting and Foraging
Cavities in trees provide nightly roosts as well as winter shelter. The woodpeckers excavate their own nest and roost holes or use existing cavities. They forage during the day on the trunks and branches of both live and dead trees.
Winter Flocking
Winter groups, or flocks, of downy woodpeckers may form where food is abundant. This helps the birds find food and offers protection from predators. Six or more birds may join together, a behavior rarely seen during the breeding season.
Territory Defense
Males and females generally abandon their breeding territories in winter. However, they may still defend temporary winter feeding territories, chasing away intruders. Squabbling over territory and resources is common.
Weather Effects
Harsh winter weather, especially prolonged cold and snowstorms, can cause high mortality in downy woodpecker populations. Food becomes very difficult to find. The availability of winter food strongly influences where the birds migrate and settle.
Threats and Conservation
The downy woodpecker has an extensive range and large total population, estimated at over 10 million birds. Their numbers appear stable, so they are not considered threatened or endangered. However, they do face some conservation issues:
Habitat Loss
Logging, land clearing, and natural disturbances like wildfire reduce available nesting and foraging habitat. Management practices that incorporate prescribed burning and retention of dead wood and dying trees benefit downy woodpeckers.
Invasive Species
Nonnative insects, tree diseases, and parasites can decrease native insect prey populations and weaken trees. Monitoring and controlling invasive species helps preserve woodpecker habitat quality.
Climate Change
Changing weather patterns and temperatures may affect the distribution, migration timing, reproductive success, and survival of downy woodpeckers. Research is needed to better understand climate change impacts.
Predators and Competitors
Their cavity nests are raided by raccoons, snakes, and other animals. Larger woodpecker species compete for nest sites. Hawks, owls, squirrels, and cats may prey on adults. Managing these threats can improve productivity.
Conclusion
In summary, migrating downy woodpeckers primarily winter across the southeastern and southwestern United States, as well as Mexico. They move south in fall and return north in spring, seeking areas with moderate climates and sufficient food resources. Movement timing and routes are variable and complex. During winter, they frequent forests, woodlots, urban parks, and backyards with mature trees. Downy woodpeckers face threats like habitat loss and climate change, but research and management efforts can support their populations. Understanding their migration patterns and winter ecology helps inform conservation strategies for this widespread woodpecker species.
Season | Location |
---|---|
Summer | Northern and eastern United States, southern Canada, west to British Columbia and Alberta |
Winter | Southeastern United States from Virginia to Florida and Gulf Coast |
Winter | Southwestern United States from California across Southwest to Texas, and south into Mexico |
Migration Timing | Key Points |
---|---|
Fall | August to November departure from breeding grounds |
Fall | Young first, adults later after nesting season |
Fall | Earlier in far north, later in south |
Spring | February to May return to breeding range |
Spring | Adults first to establish nest sites, young later |
Spring | Timed with emergence of food like insects and tree sap |
Winter Diet | Major Foods |
---|---|
Insects and spiders | Beetles, ants, insect eggs |
Fruit and nuts | Berries, acorns, hackberry seeds |
Sap | From sapsucker wells, slits in bark |
Suet | At bird feeders |
Tree seeds | Pine, elm, birch, maple |