![]() Classificationĭowny and hairy woodpeckers are two distinct species belonging to the same genus, Picoides. *Data in the table was sourced from research papers, scientific journals, online magazines, and other official sources.ġ2 Differences Between Downy vs. North America deciduous forests and woodlands Insects, seeds, nuts, berries, suet from birdfeeders Insects, berries, seeds, suet from birdfeeders Spotted outer tail feathers, solid red patch on males’ headsĪll-white outer tail feathers, red patch often split in two The table below compares the differences between hairy woodpecker vs. Hairy woodpeckers also have all white outer tail feathers. They have longer and slender bills that are almost as long as the birds’ heads, whereas downy woodpeckers have shorter and stubbier bills. Hairy woodpeckers can grow twice as large as downy woodpeckers. The main difference between the downy woodpecker and hairy woodpecker is the size. They have slightly different habitats, but both species may be spotted in local forests and backyards. Remembering this simple tip will help you quickly and accurately identify these similar woodpeckers.Downy and hairy woodpeckers are two of the most similar woodpecker species found in the same geographic range. If the bill is roughly the same length as the bird’s head it’s a Hairy, if the bill is shorter than the bird’s head it’s a Downy. Next time you come across a woodpecker and find yourself asking Downy or Hairy? take a look at the bird’s bill. Nearly identical in appearance, the Hairy Woodpecker’s bill (top) is significantly longer than the Downy’s (bottom). Sizing it up with the bird’s head shows that it’s roughly the same length, thus correctly identifying this woodpecker as a Hairy. However, the length of the bird’s bill is by far the easiest field mark to see. Also visible is the black line that divides the red patch on the back of this male bird’s head. Note the lack of black spots on the bird’s outer tail feathers. In the above photo, three of the field marks I mentioned previously can be seen on this Hairy Woodpecker. Quickly size it up in relation to their head and just like that, you have a positive identification. Even when these birds are pressed against a tree they will often pause with their heads pulled back long enough to get a look at their bill. The Downy Woodpecker has a much shorter bill roughly 1/3 the length of the bird’s head while the Hairy’s bill is nearly the same length as its head. The easiest way to identify a Downy or Hairy is to look at the length of their bill. Let me reassure you it is not that difficult. In this photo of a Hairy Woodpecker, you can see the bill is roughly the same length as the bird’s head.īy now you might be feeling overwhelmed and doubting your confidence to correctly identify these similar woodpeckers. Bill length is by far the easiest way, in my opinion, to tell the difference between these similar woodpeckers. Seeing these characteristics while in the field even with quality binoculars can be a challenge to say the least. ![]() The male Downy and Hairy each display a patch of red on the back of their heads with the Hairy’s being divided in two by a black line. Both woodpeckers have white outer tail feathers with the Downy displaying black spots on their outer tail feathers while the Hairy’s are plain white. Looking carefully at their plumage is another option for correctly deciphering between a Downy and Hairy. The black spots on the outer tailfeathers of this Downy Woodpecker clearly visible in this photo are not always easy to see therefore, this is not the most reliable field mark to look for. However, many birders and nature enthusiasts are just not comfortable relying on sound, besides what if the bird is seen and not heard? Learning to identify birds by ear takes quite a bit of practice and is more time consuming than the method I am going to share. Identifying each bird by their call is another way to tell the difference between a Downy and a Hairy. Agreed, a 3″ size difference when it comes to birds is substantial however, when seen at a distance or not side-by-side this can still leave many unsure. ![]() Some may argue that size is the most obvious difference between Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers with the former measuring 6-1/2″ in length and the latter 9-1/2″. ![]() However, when seen at a distance or not side-by-side for comparison this can pose a challenge. Size is one way to correctly identify Hairy (pictured here) and Downy Woodpeckers. There are several ways to correctly identify each bird, but one is by far the easiest. Both reside across our area with the Downy being more abundant and the one most often seen at backyard feeders. When it comes to woodpeckers, the Downy and Hairy are almost identical in appearance. Downy Woodpeckers are common in our area and regularly visit backyard feeders. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |