Downy Woodpecker
Downy WoodpeckerDowny WoodpeckerDowny WoodpeckerDowny Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Dryobates pubescens

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
60–70% · Likely
overall probability at Congaree National Park
910 Verified records at Congaree National Park
October Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's active during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

The downy woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) is a species of woodpecker, the smallest in North America. Length ranges from 14 to 18 cm (5.5 to 7.1 in). Downy woodpeckers primarily live in forested areas throughout the United States and Canada, with the exception of deserts in the southwest and the northern tundra. The bird nests in tree cavities and feeds primarily on insects, although it supplements its diet with seeds and berries. The downy woodpecker is very similar in appearance to the hairy woodpecker, although they are not closely related. Wikipedia →

60–70% of wildlife watchers report a Downy Woodpecker sighting in Congaree National Park, based on 910 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Closest Relatives at Congaree National Park

Red-bellied Woodpecker
LC

Red-bellied Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes carolinus

80–90% · Very likely
Pileated Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dryocopus pileatus

80–90% · Very likely
Northern Flicker
LC Endemic

Northern Flicker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Colaptes auratus

40–50% · Likely
Red-headed Woodpecker
LC

Red-headed Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

30–40% · Possible
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
LC

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sphyrapicus varius

20–30% · Possible
Hairy Woodpecker
LC Endemic

Hairy Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Leuconotopicus villosus

20–30% · Possible

📅 Monthly Probability

70–80
Jan
60–70
Feb
60–70
Mar
60–70
Apr
50–60
May
60–70
Jun
40–50
Jul
60–70
Aug
70–80
Sep
70–80
Oct
70–80
Nov
70–80
Dec

☀️ When They're Spotted

Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)

☀️Diurnal
☀️🌙🌙12am6am12pm6pm12am

Global Distribution

Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.

where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is)  ·  parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Probability
1 Point Pelee National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
70–80%
2 Congaree National Park 🇺🇸 United States
60–70%
3 Shenandoah National Park 🇺🇸 United States
50–60%
4 Great Smoky Mountains National Park 🇺🇸 United States
40–50%
5 Isle Royale National Park 🇺🇸 United States
30–40%
6 Acadia National Park 🇺🇸 United States
30–40%
7 Elk Island National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
20–30%
8 Cape Breton Highlands National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
20–30%
9 Gros Morne National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
20–30%
10 Kluane National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
20–30%
11 Big Cypress National Preserve 🇺🇸 United States
20–30%
12 Zion National Park 🇺🇸 United States
20–30%
13 Glacier National Park 🇺🇸 United States
20–30%
14 Riding Mountain National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
10–20%
15 Everglades National Park 🇺🇸 United States
10–20%
16 Wood Buffalo National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
10–20%
17 Rocky Mountain National Park 🇺🇸 United States
10–20%
18 Olympic National Park 🇺🇸 United States
10–20%
19 Channel Islands National Park 🇺🇸 United States
10–20%
20 Redwood National Park 🇺🇸 United States
10–20%
21 Yosemite National Park 🇺🇸 United States
10–20%
22 Voyageurs National Park 🇺🇸 United States
10–20%
23 Banff National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
5–10%
24 Great Bear Rainforest 🇨🇦 Canada
5–10%
25 Grand Teton National Park 🇺🇸 United States
5–10%
26 Jasper National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
5–10%
27 Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
28 Wrangell-St. Elias National Park 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
29 Kenai Fjords National Park 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
30 Grand Canyon National Park 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
31 Badlands National Park 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
32 Yellowstone National Park 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
33 Pacific Rim National Park Reserve 🇨🇦 Canada
<5%
34 Death Valley National Park 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
35 Denali National Park 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
36 Guadalupe Mountains National Park 🇺🇸 United States
Insufficient data
37 Katmai National Park 🇺🇸 United States
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Downy Woodpecker in Congaree National Park?

About 66% of wildlife watchers report a Downy Woodpecker sighting in Congaree National Park, based on 910 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Downy Woodpecker in Congaree National Park?

October has the highest sighting rate for Downy Woodpecker in Congaree National Park in our monthly data.

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