Downy and Hairy woodpeckers

Do you know the difference between Downy and Hairy woodpeckers?

According to the Great Backyard Bird Count website, Downy and Hairy woodpeckers are widely distributed across North America. Both commonly visit feeder areas where they feed on suet and sometimes seeds. These are the only woodpeckers with a vertical white stripe on the back. Hairy Woodpeckers are roughly three inches taller and their bills are about as long as their heads are wide. The bills of the Downy are only about one-third the width of their heads.

Downy woodpecker

Downy woodpecker

• A small (approximately 6.5″ long) black-and-white woodpecker with a short, dainty beak. The beak is about one-third the distance from the base of the bill to the back of the head.
• The wings are black with white wing coverts. White is greatly reduced in birds of the Rockies and the Northwest.
• Some individiuals also show a “comma-shaped” black mark that extends from the shoulder onto the breast, though it is often not as obvious as it is on the Hairy.
• The white outer tail feathers on the Downy Woodpecker are usually barred in black, giving a spotted effect.
• Note the distinct tuft of nasal bristles at the base of the beak.
• The Pacific race is dirtier with a few black spots on the upper sides of breast.
• Only males have a red patch on the back of the head. Juveniles may have tuft of red on forehead.
• Over 50 percent of FeederWatch sites host these at their feeders all winter long.

Hairy woodpecker

Hairy woodpecker

• A black-and-white woodpecker about the size of a robin (avg. 9-13″ long), with a long, chisel-like beak. The beak is about as long as the distance from the base of the bill to the back of the head.
• The wings are black with white wing coverts.
• Note the well-developed “comma-shaped” black mark extending
  from the shoulder onto the breast. This feature is often less obvious
  in Downy’s and is sometimes a useful distinguishing mark.
• In most of the Eastern U.S., Hairys have completely white outer tail feathers. Black bars can be found on the outer tail feathers on birds of the Pacific race and in Newfoundland.
• Nasal bristles are small and inconspicuous.
• The Pacific race looks darker, dingier and has more streaks on the flanks than the whiter, cleaner Eastern race.
• Only males have a red patch on the back of the head. Juveniles may have tuft of red on forehead.
• More likely than Downy to be observed at rural sites (often in pairs).

From http://gbbc.birdcount.org/learn_about_birds/downy-and-hairy-woodpeckers/. Visit that website to hear their individual calls.

By Ranger Steve Mueller

Learn to see and help wildlife at the same time. First, place a bird feeder 5 to 15 feet from a window where you can observe birds. Second, discover distinguishing characteristics for identifying different species and even sexes of birds. Use systematic practice with different pieces and parts of birds on different days.

Start with heads and stick with just that part. Common birds that frequent feeders are Blue Jays, Northern Cardinals, Tufted Titmice, Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, Downy Woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpeckers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, House Finches, and American Goldfinches.

Downy woodpecker

On the head, look for a crest. Jays, cardinals, and titmice will have a crest. Notice they can stand it up or lay it flat. Look for head patterns. The White-breasted Nuthatch has a black-cap with white cheek and throat. The chickadee also has a black cap and white cheek but its throat is black.

The Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers have nearly identical head appearances. Both have black and white stripes running from the front of the head toward the back. The Hairy has a larger head and the entire body is larger but I frequently encounter people misidentifying them based on size. A helpful head feature to note is that the Hairy has a beak that is as long as the head or longer. The Downy’s is shorter than the length of the head. Male and female Hairy and Downy’s can be separated because the males have a red spot on the back of the head and females do not have red on the head.

Hairy woodpecker

On another day, look at bird wings. Are they a solid color? Chickadees have gray wings with white along the edge of each feather. Titmice have solid gray wings. The Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers have black wings that are heavily spotted with white. Goldfinches have two light wing bars running crosswise across the wings. House finches also have wing bars but they are more faint.

Third day check out tails. Are the tops and bottoms different? How about the edges? The gray tail on the chickadee has a white frame around the edge. Are tails of different lengths? The chickadee has a long narrow tail. The nuthatch as a shorter wide tail. Woodpecker tail feathers have obvious pointed projections at the end that are used in their nature niche to brace themselves on a tree when using their sharp bill for pecking trees. Hairy’s have white undertails. Downy’s have black dashes across the white underside.

Many unique features help separate bird species. It becomes easier when we notice pieces and parts. At the feeder, we get frequent, repeated, and even long looks at what is called bird topography. Purchase a field guide and study the bird topography page.

When you try to identify a species, the guide may suggest looking at the crown, cheek, lores, supraloral stripe, nape, or some other feature that may be foreign to you. By practicing on birds at the feeder and comparing features listed on the topography page with birds in view, it will be easier to recognize pieces and parts when you begin looking at birds in the bush.

We notice the over all general appearance of different birds and most recognize that large blue birds with a crest are Blue Jays, bright red birds with a crest are Northern Cardinals, and smaller gray birds with a crest and white belly are Tufted Titmice. Sometimes it is not easy to separate birds with similar appearances. That is evident when we look at the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers.

Take time to enjoy the details. We barely began the discussion of appearance. Continue by comparing bill sizes and shapes or bird bellies. Discovering bird pieces and parts is fascinating.

Natural history questions or topic suggestions can be directed to Ranger Steve (Mueller) at odybrook@chartermi.net – Ody Brook Nature Sanctuary, 13010 Northland Dr. Cedar Springs, MI 49319 or call 616-696-1753.