Starts low and climbs up; allows humans to get fairly close and plays peek-a-boo around tree base.

Downy Woodpecker

Picoides pubescens  L 6¾" (17 cm)

White back identifies both Downy and similar Hairy Woodpecker. Downy is much smaller with a smaller bill; outer tail feathers generally have faint dark bars or spots. Birds in the Pacific northwest have pale grey-brown back and underparts. Rocky Mountain birds have less white spotting on wings. Male features bright red patch on crown. Call: pik and whinny are softer and higher pitched than Hairy Woodpecker's. Range: Common; active, and somewhat unwary;often seen is suburbs, praries, and orchards, as well as in forests. A familiar visitor to feeders.