| downy woodpecker | (n) small North American woodpecker with black and white plumage and a small bill |
| Downy woodpecker | n. (Zool.) A small black and white ladder-backed woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) of Central and Eastern U. S. and Canada. It strongly resembles the hairy woodpecker, but is smaller (6 1/2"), compared with about 9-1/2" for the hairy. It is common in suburban backyards. [ PJC ] |