Downy Woodpecker vs Hairy Woodpecker
Is that a downy or a hairy woodpecker?
The quick tell
They wear almost identical black-and-white plumage, so judge the bill against the head. A Downy Woodpecker has a short, stubby bill, clearly less than half the width of its head, and is sparrow-sized. A Hairy Woodpecker is noticeably bigger with a long, chisel bill about as long as its head is wide.
Field marks, side by side
| Downy Woodpecker | Hairy Woodpecker | |
|---|---|---|
| Bill | Short and stubby, under half the head width | Long and heavy, about as long as the head is wide |
| Size | Small, about sparrow-sized (6-7 in) | Larger, robin-sized (9-10 in) |
| Outer tail feathers | White with small black spots or bars | Clean, unmarked white |
| Where you see it | Readily at feeders, on weed stems and thin twigs | More often on trunks and large branches in woodland |
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What is the easiest way to tell a downy from a hairy woodpecker?
The bill. On a downy it is short and delicate, less than half the width of the head; on a hairy it is long and stout, roughly as long as the head is wide. Overall size helps too, but birds are hard to size with nothing beside them, so start with the bill.
Are downy and hairy woodpeckers related?
They look nearly identical but are not especially close relatives, which makes their resemblance a long-standing puzzle. Both are common across much of North America and often visit the same yards, which is exactly why people mix them up.