Lesser Spotted Woodpecker vs Downy Woodpecker

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Dryobates minor

How to recognise a lesser spotted woodpecker?

General appearance

The lesser spotted woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker species in Europe, measuring 14-16.5 cm in length. It displays barred black and white upperparts, with a white underbelly. The bird's wings, back, and tail possess black horizontal stripes, creating a distinctive pattern. This bird's beak is pointed and strong, aimed for its pecking habit on trees.

Male vs female

Males and females of this species show sexual dimorphism. The male has a distinctive red crown on his head, whereas the female's head is purely white. Both genders, however, have black eye-stripes extending from the beak to the back of the head.

Juvenile

Juvenile lesser spotted woodpeckers have similar markings to adults but don't possess as vivid coloration. Also, they exhibit a crimson-colored cap which extends to the nape, irrespective of gender. This color fades as they mature.

Size

5.5 - 6.3 in/0.6 - 0.9 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The lesser spotted woodpecker prefers deciduous forests, across Europe and parts of Asia. It is fond of aged woods with a rich undergrowth.

Additional range

This species occasionally ventures into orchards and parks, and adapts to diverse climates from chilly Scandinavian forests to Mediterranean woodlands.

Range Map

What do lesser spotted woodpeckers like to eat?

Natural diet

The lesser spotted woodpecker primarily feeds on insects and their larvae, which it extracts from tree bark using its strong beak. It favors beetles, ants, and caterpillars. During the spring and summer seasons, it may also consume spiders and a variety of small invertebrates. Its diet can occasionally include tree sap, fruits, and seeds, providing additional nutrients and energy.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, the lesser spotted woodpecker might consume suet, which provides necessary fats and energy, especially in colder months. It may also eat peanuts, crushed sunflower seeds, or other nuts when available. While less common than larger woodpecker species, this bird could occasionally visit feeders, especially in areas where their natural food is scarce.

What does a lesser spotted woodpecker sound like?

The lesser spotted woodpecker produces short, high-pitched, descending calls that sound like "kee-kee-kee" and are similar to a laugh or a giggle. Their drumming is quite soft, resembling tapping more than pecking. The song, often heard during courtship, is a rapid succession of distinct, quiet taps on deadwood. Their vocalizations are generally quieter and less varied than those of larger woodpeckers.

Call

Audio by Benoît Van Hecke

/ CC BY-SA 4.0

There's more to learn about Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

View full details

Downy Woodpecker

Dryobates pubescens

How to recognise a downy woodpecker?

General appearance

The downy woodpecker is a small bird with a length of about 6 to 7 inches and a wingspan of 9 to 12 inches. It features a black and white color pattern, with a predominantly white belly and black wings that have white spots. The bird has a black tail with outer feathers that are white and often contain black barring. Its head is striped with black and white, featuring a distinctive white stripe down the center of the back and a white throat.

Male vs female

Males and females of the species can be differentiated by a red patch on the nape of the male's head, absent in females. Both sexes share a similar body patterning and coloration, although the male’s red marking is the primary distinguishing feature for identification in the field.

Juvenile

Juvenile downy woodpeckers resemble adults but may have less defined plumage markings. They often have a more brownish tint across their feathers. Juvenile males may show a hint of red on top of their head instead of the nape, providing a subtle distinction from adult males. Their overall body pattern is similar to adult birds.

Size

5.5 - 6.7 in/0.7 - 1.0 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The downy woodpecker is commonly found in deciduous tree-centric areas including forests, woodlands, orchards, and shade trees. It thrives in wilderness areas, second-growth woods, and suburban yards.

Additional range

While typically found in deciduous areas, in the far north and mountains, where conifers dominate, the downy woodpecker can be restricted to groves of aspen or willow trees.

Range Map

What do downy woodpeckers like to eat?

Natural diet

The downy woodpecker primarily feeds on a variety of insects, with a particular preference for beetles and ants. It also consumes other insects such as gall wasps and caterpillars. In addition to insects, its diet includes seeds and berries.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, the downy woodpecker is known to eat suet, which provides a supplementary food source alongside its natural diet.

What does a downy woodpecker sound like?

The vocalizations of the Downy Woodpecker consist of a discrete "pik" sound, often described as quiet. Another characteristic sound they produce is a descending rattle. Their call pattern has a falling, flat tone. The type of calls they make can be categorized into chirps or chips, drums, rattles, and trills. Thus, their vocalization repertoire is quite varied, enabling them to communicate effectively in their habitat.

Call

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

Call

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

Song

Audio by Jonathon Jongsma

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

There's more to learn about Downy Woodpecker

View full details

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Tap To compare

Downy Woodpecker

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Dryobates minor

General appearance

The lesser spotted woodpecker is the smallest woodpecker species in Europe, measuring 14-16.5 cm in length. It displays barred black and white upperparts, with a white underbelly. The bird's wings, back, and tail possess black horizontal stripes, creating a distinctive pattern. This bird's beak is pointed and strong, aimed for its pecking habit on trees.

Male vs female

Males and females of this species show sexual dimorphism. The male has a distinctive red crown on his head, whereas the female's head is purely white. Both genders, however, have black eye-stripes extending from the beak to the back of the head.

Juvenile

Juvenile lesser spotted woodpeckers have similar markings to adults but don't possess as vivid coloration. Also, they exhibit a crimson-colored cap which extends to the nape, irrespective of gender. This color fades as they mature.

Size

5.5 - 6.3 in/0.6 - 0.9 oz

There's more to learn about Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

View full details

Downy Woodpecker

Dryobates pubescens

General appearance

The downy woodpecker is a small bird with a length of about 6 to 7 inches and a wingspan of 9 to 12 inches. It features a black and white color pattern, with a predominantly white belly and black wings that have white spots. The bird has a black tail with outer feathers that are white and often contain black barring. Its head is striped with black and white, featuring a distinctive white stripe down the center of the back and a white throat.

Male vs female

Males and females of the species can be differentiated by a red patch on the nape of the male's head, absent in females. Both sexes share a similar body patterning and coloration, although the male’s red marking is the primary distinguishing feature for identification in the field.

Juvenile

Juvenile downy woodpeckers resemble adults but may have less defined plumage markings. They often have a more brownish tint across their feathers. Juvenile males may show a hint of red on top of their head instead of the nape, providing a subtle distinction from adult males. Their overall body pattern is similar to adult birds.

Size

5.5 - 6.7 in/0.7 - 1.0 oz

There's more to learn about Downy Woodpecker

View full details

How to tell the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker from the Downy Woodpecker

Visual differences

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (5.5-6.5 inches) is slightly smaller than the Downy Woodpecker (6-7 inches). Both feature black and white patterns, but Lesser Spotted has barred upperparts and a white belly, while Downy's wings have white spots and it has a white stripe down the back. Lesser Spotted males boast a red crown, contrasting with the male Downy's red nape. Lesser Spotted has horizontal tail stripes; Downy has white outer tail feathers with black barring. Their juvenile markings are similar to adults.

Key differences and behavior

The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Downy Woodpecker, both small in size, exhibit distinct behaviors. Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, native to Europe, inhabit deciduous forests and favor dead or decaying trees for nesting. Their nesting is often messy, with wood chips strewn at tree bases. They engage in loud calls and drumming for courtship in late winter. Conversely, Downy Woodpeckers, prevalent in North America, establish separate feeding territories before forming pairs in late winter via drumming displays. They nest in dead limbs, often camouflage with fungus or lichen. Both species feed predominantly on insects but also visit bird feeders for suet. Habitat preferences differ slightly; Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers are more adaptable to varied climates, while Downy Woodpeckers may venture into northern conifer groves. Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers occasionally eat sap and fruit, whereas Downy Woodpeckers include seeds and berries in their diet.