Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers
By John Askildsen
Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers are two separate species that look
almost identical in every way, other then size. When these two species are
viewed separately, however, even "sizing up" the woodpecker at your
window feeder can be a daunting task.
But
there are a few distinct field marks that can be looked for in order to
identify, and tell these two woodpecker cousins apart. Let’s take a look at
the most often seen and smaller of the duo, the Downy Woodpecker, Picoides
pubescens. This
bird has a somewhat compact appearance with a small, seemingly bulbous, head and
a short spiky bill. The Downy’s bill is always shorter then the length of its
head. When foraging on a tree branch, the Downy seems to place its head on a
45-degree angle to the branch. Another good field mark used in order to tell the
two apart is the presence of black barring on the outer white tail feathers of
the Downy.
 |
 |
| Downy and Hairy Woodpecker
males have a red spot on the back of their heads. Females do not. On the
left is a male Downy; a female Hairy is on the right. |
The Hairy Woodpecker, Picoides villosus, is a species that requires deeper
and more mature woods than the Downy. The Hairy is somewhat larger then the
Downy with a big, somewhat square-headed appearance and a much longer bill. The
Hairy’s bill is always as long, or longer than
the length of its head. The Hairy typically forages on tree trunks, while the
Downy stays on branches. There is no black barring on the white outer tail
feathers of the Hairy.
In Westchester and Putnam Counties, Downies outnumber Hairies
7 to 1. There seems to be a recent downward trend in the local Hairy Woodpecker
population, as well. They both love winter bird suet feeders, but the Hairy is
more likely to come in the worst weather, whereas Downy Woodpeckers will munch
on your suet anytime!
Photos Courtesy of and Copyright by
© Dick Budnik Photography
DickBudnik@verizon.net
http://mysite.verizon.net/DickBudnik
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