What is "downy woodpecker"

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.

n. small North American woodpecker with black and white plumage and a small bill

The downy woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) is a species of woodpecker, the smallest in North America.