Downy woodpecker \Down"y wood"peck*er\ (-[y^]), 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]