Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) [XC341864]
by Antonio Xeira from Magnuson Park Kingfisher Basin, King County, Washington, United States (drumming)
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) [XC532745]
by Bobby Wilcox from Atascadero, San Luis Obispo County, California, United States (call, pik.)
Subspecies
Most closely related to Nuttall's Woodpecker (Dryobates nuttallii) and Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris), and has hybridized with former. DNA analyses also indicate possible relationship with Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dryobates minor) of the Old World. Further study is required. Nominate subspecies and medianus intergrade widely in central USA. Clinal variation in size, decreasing from north to south. Additional named subspecies nelsoni (Alaska to Alberta) and microleucus (Newfoundland) considered unacceptable.
The following 7 subspecies are recognised:
medianus (Swainson, 1832) - Central Alaska and Canada (east of Rockies, from southern Mackenzie and Alberta) east to southern Quebec and Newfoundland, and southern in USA to Nebraska and Virginia.