Pecking at tree
San Diego County, California, US
*Female
*Found on trees at pond's edge
*Pennaceous tail feathers hold the bird vertically to the side of the tree's trunk (not on branch) by creating 3 point bracing
The Downy Woodpecker, Picoides pubescens, is the smallest woodpecker in North America. Adults are mainly black on the upper parts and wings, with a white back, throat and belly and white spotting on the wings. There is a white bar above the eye and one below. They have a black tail with white outer feathers barred with black. Adult males have a red patch on the back of the head.
