Downy Woodpeckers in Washington
When downy woodpeckers are present in Washington, when they nest, which native Washington plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4a–9a yard.
- Status in Washington
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- April–June
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–9a
- Nest box
- 1 1/4 in round hole, 4 × 4 in floor, 5–20 ft, box packed with wood shavings
When to expect downy woodpeckers in Washington
Downy Woodpeckers live in Washington all year. Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward insect larvae in goldenrod galls and bark; suet, peanuts and sunflower at feeders.
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades, semi-arid shrub-steppe to the east.
Nesting in Washington
Across Washington, downy woodpeckers typically nest from April–June. Nest site: excavates its own cavity in dead wood; uses roost boxes in winter. Females lay 3–8 eggs, incubate for 12 days, and young leave the nest after 18–21 days.
Dry, sunny summers west of the Cascades; hot in the Columbia Basin.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before March — downy woodpeckers begin prospecting ahead of egg-laying.
- Use a 1 1/4 in round entrance on a 4 × 4 in floor, mounted 5–20 ft, box packed with wood shavings.
- Fit a pole baffle or hole guard; ventilation gaps and drainage holes are essential.
- Clean out old nests after each brood and again after June.
Native Washington plants that attract downy woodpeckers
Of the regional native plants we track for Washington, these 8 provide food or cover downy woodpeckers use:
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.
Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.
Acorns and a rich insect community in the Pacific Northwest.
Seed for crossbills, siskins and chickadees.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Feeding downy woodpeckers through the Washington year
The smallest North American woodpecker and the most frequent at feeders. A tail-prop suet feeder gives them a natural feeding posture.
- Best foods: Suet, Shelled peanuts, Black-oil sunflower, Hulled sunflower.
- In Washington's winter: Mild, wet winters on the Puget Sound; cold winters in the east.
Full diet breakdown for downy woodpeckers · Best feeder for downy woodpeckers
Frequently asked
Are downy woodpeckers in Washington year-round?
Yes. Downy Woodpeckers are year-round residents in Washington.
When do downy woodpeckers nest in Washington?
Nesting in Washington typically runs April–June, with 1 per season. Clutches are 3–8 eggs, incubated for 12 days.
What native plants attract downy woodpeckers in Washington?
Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Chokecherry, Ponderosa pine, Rabbitbrush, Oregon white oak, Douglas fir, Willow (Bebb) are native plants in Washington that provide food or cover for downy woodpeckers.
What size birdhouse hole do downy woodpeckers need?
1 1/4 in round, with a floor of 4 × 4 in mounted 5–20 ft, box packed with wood shavings.
Downy Woodpeckers in other regions
Other backyard birds in Washington
Sources
- Downy Woodpecker — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Downy Woodpecker life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Downy Woodpecker — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Washington
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.