That Familiar Song

Adult downy woodpeckers are the smallest of North America's woodpeckers, though there are many smaller species elsewhere. The downy is also among the most widespread and familiar species; it is a confiding bird that often visits feeders. The downy woodpecker is virtually identical in plumage pattern to the larger hairy woodpecker, suggesting a small version of it, both differing from the other American species by the broad white stripe down the back. The male has a small red nuchal patch, lacking in the female. The juveniles like this one have red feathering on the cap and also white speckles just above the beak. As a curious fact, downy woodpeckers don't sing, but they usually drum against pieces of wood. Another peculiarity of theirs is nesting inside the walls of buildings, where they can occasionally be found. Based on a reference photograph by Cindy Clouser.

Medium

Oil on paper

Dimensions

H 32 × W 24 cm (H 12.6 × W 9.4 in) · unframed

Type

Original: one of a kind

Framing

Unframed

Signature

Signed front and back

Every original ships with a certificate of authenticity signed by the artist.

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