Very interesting! Is your nesting box made specifcally for the Downy Woodpecker? We have the Downys here, and I have wondered about putting up a box for them.

It is sized for bluebirds but the Downy uses it at night during the colder months. I had a Downy use another of my bluebird houses last year at night but when the bluebirds started building a nest he left to sleep elsewhere.

Last year I put wood shavings into this box in hopes it would encourage nesting but it didn't work.

I have also read somewhere that the Downys will peck away at the inside of a nest box to make wood shavings for nesting. For that reason, I believe that it is recommended that we add wood shavings to the nestboxes that we place out for the woodpeckers. Does all of that sound right? I have heard of them using the BB boxes in the winter for roosting. I wonder if they ever excavate boxes that they use just for roosting.

I've watched them roosting in the boxes for a couple of winters now and yes, they sometimes peck away at the entrance but I haven't seen them pecking inside. Just before the bluebirds are ready to start nesting I usually go out with some sandpaper and smooth out the entrance of the nest boxes. From my observation thus far the Downy doesn't want to nest where he has been roosting.

It is always so amazing to see a bird inside its nestbox, whether nesting or roosting. Thanks so much for sharing such a cool photo.

This year we put up an extra large winter roosting box (it looks like we thought we would be a Bird Hilton!) It's mounted 8-10 feet up in the crabapple tree which is "bird central." I have yet to know whether any birds have used it - haven't seen anybody go in it or leave. So I can't wait to open it and clean it this month.

I'm hoping to at least find some downy feathers. (We have daily visits from downies.)

This was the second post I've read here about downies roosting in a nestbox. The instincts of birds to survive always amaze me. Maybe if I can show my techno-savvy husband your photo...

Downys also use thermoregulation in the winter to conserve energy. They can slow their heart beat and reduce body temperature - sort of a mini hibernation. I've seen many photos of people in the dead of winter going out after dark and taking pictures of downies "sleeping" in bluebird boxes. You can open the box and they dont wake up. I was meaning to try it this winter, since I have a BB box a Downy uses. I never made it out this year and the extreme cold temperatures are past us, maybe next year.

Wow Chris...that is really interesting. Do the BB's use thermoregulation too then? I have seen several pics of BB boxes stuffed full of BB's roosting in the winter. I always wondered how in the world the people got those shots. :o)

Honestly, I learn so much on this forum - thanks Chris.

I have a Downy in every box! I do put wood shavings in there for them every fall. I clean the boxes out when the Blues start "shopping" but the Downies will continue to roost till the Blues kick them out and actually start a nest.
I love seeing their sleepy little heads poking out in the morning, then they all seem to take off at once to start their day.

I'm not sure if it occurs in bluebirds or not. The state is called torpor (n) or torpid (adj.). I know it is common in other birds, like hummingbirds, chickadees, doves, swifts. Although I have seen the most pictures of it in Downys, probably since they like BB boxes.

Lisa I was so envious reading your post. Do you see the downies leave the nestboxes at sunrise, or later?

Maybe if I set my alarm clock earlier I might see some leave the roosting box.

(Or maybe AAA gave my roost box one star :)

Chickadee, they usually leave about 45 mins after sunrise here,thats whats so cute, they are all looking out of thier boxes..like they are having coffee ( kinda like we have coffe and watch them;D) It seems to be when the light hits a certain point in the sky they start their day. If I remember right the time change has them sleeping in for a week or so. I think it's the light that gets them going! I love the Downies, but bring on the Blues! Come on spring!

We have Downeys roosting in our BB boxes every Winter. This year I would see them leaving around 7:30AM, it is cute to watch them poke their head out and look about in the mornings. Oh and I have had them excavate both the outside and the inside of my BB boxes. Last year during the Spring I had a trap box set up for HOSP, I was quite suprised to catch a male Downie once in the middle of the day! He was quite happy when I let him go!

Donna

That is just too adorable!!
I have several nest boxes throughout my yard but they are too far from the house for me to see if anyone is using them in the winter

I have just discovered a downy woodpecker roosting in a bluebird house in our yard. I live in Buffalo, NY. I am worried about the poor thing freezing in there. should I add wood shavings? if so, what kind. I can see from the inside of the BB house that the woodpecker has begun pecking at tbe hole.