Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
Downy Woodpecker · Prospect Park · 14 December 2025
A Downy Woodpecker working a snow-dusted snag in Prospect Park in December, North America's smallest woodpecker and a resident of every eastern wood and park all year. In winter it joins the chickadee flocks and follows them round the wood.
Easy to confuse with the larger Hairy Woodpecker, which wears almost identical black-and-white plumage. The reliable difference is bill length: the Downy's is noticeably shorter than the depth of its head, where the Hairy's is nearly as long as the head itself, and this one shows the short, stubby bill clearly.
Birds, insects, plants and other wildlife, mostly from Brooklyn, with some from further afield.
Every photograph comes with notes on what it is.
Selected
Favourite shots. Filter by subject, or .
Places
Everything, by where it was taken.
Species
Larger catalogue of photos organized by species of animal or plant.
Catalogue
Every photograph, newest first. Narrow it by period, place or species; the three work together.
Updates
Coming soon. Sign up at the bottom of the page for updates.