Downy Woodpeckers in Wyoming
When downy woodpeckers are present in Wyoming, when they nest, which native Wyoming plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3a–5b yard.
- Status in Wyoming
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- May–June
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–5b
- 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 Wyoming
Downy Woodpeckers live in Wyoming all year. Cold, very windy winters. 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.
Semi-arid high plains and basins with major mountain ranges; most towns lie above 5,000 ft.
Nesting in Wyoming
Across Wyoming, downy woodpeckers typically nest from May–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.
Short, warm summers with cool nights.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before April — 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 Wyoming plants that attract downy woodpeckers
Of the regional native plants we track for Wyoming, these 8 provide food or cover downy woodpeckers use:
Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
Sweet dry fruit on the branch all winter.
Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.
Acorns for jays and woodpeckers across the southern Rockies.
Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.
Feeding downy woodpeckers through the Wyoming 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 Wyoming's winter: Cold, very windy winters.
Full diet breakdown for downy woodpeckers · Best feeder for downy woodpeckers
Frequently asked
Are downy woodpeckers in Wyoming year-round?
Yes. Downy Woodpeckers are year-round residents in Wyoming.
When do downy woodpeckers nest in Wyoming?
Nesting in Wyoming typically runs May–June, with 1 per season. Clutches are 3–8 eggs, incubated for 12 days.
What native plants attract downy woodpeckers in Wyoming?
Bur oak, New England aster, Tall goldenrod, Chokecherry, Common hackberry, Ponderosa pine, Gambel oak, Rabbitbrush are native plants in Wyoming 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 Wyoming
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 — Wyoming
- 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.