Birds of North Carolina:
their Distribution and Abundance
Downy Woodpecker - Dryobates pubescens
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General Comments This is our smallest woodpecker, and because of its size and rather quiet and retiring ways, the Downy Woodpecker can be easily overlooked, though it is generally a common and familiar bird. It occurs across the state at all seasons and is mostly nonmigratory, though birds do appear in out-of-the-way places in fall migration. It has a wide array of forested habitats, and because of its size, it often occurs in middle-aged forested stands, as well as in mature forests. Breeding and wintering habitats include upland and bottomland forests, swamps, wooded residential areas, and parks and groves. Hardwoods are favored over conifers, though it does occur in pine stands. In winter, mixed species flocks of chickadees, titmice, kinglets, and other songbirds typically contain one or two Downy Woodpeckers; and the species often visits feeders in winter to take suet.
Breeding Status Breeder
NC BRC List Definitive
State Status
U.S. Status
State Rank S5
Global Rank G5
Coastal Plain Permanent resident; essentially nonmigratory. Generally common (though easily overlooked) over most of the province; along the coast (barrier islands), it is much less numerous and is mostly uncommon in suitable wooded habitats, and it can be scarce in the breeding season. Peak counts: ?
Piedmont Permanent resident; essentially nonmigratory. Generally common but easily overlooked, essentially throughout the province, but only fairly common in the foothills. Peak counts: ?
Mountains Permanent resident, with few migratory movements. Generally fairly common all year, below 4,000 feet; uncommon above 4,000 feet, and typically absent at high elevations (over 5,000 feet). Peak counts:
Finding Tips None needed. A few are usually seen or heard in a day of birding anywhere in the state.
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Attribution LeGrand[2012-07-14], LeGrand[2011-12-10], LeGrand[2011-05-27]
NC Map
Click on county for list of all known species.
NC Breeding Season Map
Map depicts assumed breeding season abundance for the species.