Woodpeckers are fascinating birds that add life and color to forests and backyards. With their bright plumage, energetic tapping, and unique behaviors, woodpeckers capture attention. Two very common woodpeckers found across much of North America are the hairy woodpecker and downy woodpecker. Though they look quite similar, these two woodpeckers have some key differences.
Size Difference
The most noticeable difference between hairy and downy woodpeckers is their size. Hairy woodpeckers are larger with an average length of 9-11 inches and wingspan of 13-17 inches. Downy woodpeckers are much smaller at 6-7 inches in length and a wingspan of 11-14 inches. The following table summarizes the size differences:
Species | Length | Wingspan |
---|---|---|
Hairy Woodpecker | 9-11 inches | 13-17 inches |
Downy Woodpecker | 6-7 inches | 11-14 inches |
As the table shows, hairy woodpeckers are 25-50% longer and have 15-20% larger wingspans than downies. This size difference is apparent when observing them side-by-side.
Weight Difference
In addition to linear measurements, the weight of hairy and downy woodpeckers differs substantially. Hairy woodpeckers typically weigh 2-3 ounces. Downy woodpeckers weigh only 0.75-1.5 ounces. The following table summarizes the weight differences:
Species | Weight |
---|---|
Hairy Woodpecker | 2-3 ounces |
Downy Woodpecker | 0.75-1.5 ounces |
With double the weight, hairy woodpeckers are clearly larger overall than downy woodpeckers in terms of mass.
Bill Size Difference
The bills of hairy and downy woodpeckers also show a proportionate size difference. Hairy woodpeckers have longer, wider bills that can measure 0.75 inches or more in length. Downy woodpeckers have stubbier bills measuring only 0.5-0.66 inches long. The following table summarizes the bill size differences:
Species | Bill Length |
---|---|
Hairy Woodpecker | 0.75 inches or longer |
Downy Woodpecker | 0.5-0.66 inches |
The larger bill of the hairy woodpecker is an adaptation for chiseling into wood to find beetle larvae and other prey.
Plumage Differences
In addition to their size, some subtle plumage differences help distinguish between hairy and downy woodpeckers:
- Hairy woodpeckers lack the small black dot above the bill that downy woodpeckers display
- The outer white tail feathers of hairy woodpeckers are solid white, while downy woodpeckers have dark bars on the outer tail feathers.
- Male hairy woodpeckers have a red patch on the back of their head, while male downy woodpeckers have a red patch only on the nape of the neck.
- Hairy woodpeckers have all-white outer tail feathers, while downy woodpeckers have outer tail feathers with black dots.
These plumage differences are subtle, but they can help an observant birder distinguish the two species in places where their size difference may be less apparent.
Black Dot
One of the most reliable plumage clues is the small black dot above the bill on the downy woodpecker. Hairy woodpeckers entirely lack this dot. The dot stands out against the otherwise white forehead of the downy.
Tail Feathers
The tail feathers also offer a helpful ID clue. The outer white tail feathers of the hairy woodpecker are solid white. On the downy woodpecker, the outer white tail feathers have discrete black bars.
Red Patch
The red patch on the head differs in extent between males of each species. Male hairy woodpeckers have a red patch that extends from the forehead onto the back of the head. Male downy woodpeckers have a red patch only on the nape area.
Behavioral Differences
Hairy and downy woodpeckers share many behaviors in common as members of the same genus. However, some subtle behavioral differences exist:
- Hairy woodpeckers are more likely to excavate nest cavities in dead trees, while downy woodpeckers more often nest in live trees.
- Hairy woodpeckers prefer larger tree trunks and thicker branches to forage on, while downies forage on smaller branches and vines.
- Hairy woodpeckers are more aggressive, and will come to suet feeders and chase away downy woodpeckers.
- The flight pattern of hairy woodpeckers is slower with more wing beats, while downy woodpeckers fly faster by flapping their wings faster.
Nest Sites
One subtle behavioral difference is nest site selection. Hairy woodpeckers prefer to excavate nest cavities in dead trees and dead branches of live trees. Downy woodpeckers seem more willing to make nests in the cavities of living trees with healthy wood.
Foraging Sites
Hairy woodpeckers tend to forage on thicker branches and larger tree trunks, while downy woodpeckers can forage on smaller branches and even vines. Their smaller size allows downies to access food sources in lighter vegetation that may not support a larger hairy woodpecker.
Aggression
Hairy woodpeckers are also more aggressive than downy woodpeckers. They will come to suet feeders and chase away any downies. They also confront other bird species more aggressively when defending territories.
Flight Pattern
The flight pattern of hairies is slower with more pounding wingbeats. Downy woodpeckers fly with faster flapping over short distances.
Habitat Differences
Hairy and downy woodpeckers overlap across much of their range in North America. However, some small habitat differences exist:
- Hairy woodpeckers occupy a wider diversity of forest habitats including mature coniferous forests.
- Downy woodpeckers are more abundant in deciduous woodlots and riparian areas near water.
- Hairy woodpeckers range farther north into Canada and Alaska.
- Downy woodpeckers are more common in urban and suburban areas with small woodlots.
Forest Type
Hairy woodpeckers occur in a broader range of forest types including mature coniferous forests dominated by spruce, fir, pines, and others. Downy woodpeckers reach their highest densities in deciduous forests with oaks, maples, and other hardwoods as well as in riparian woodlands near streams and wetlands.
Range
Across the northernmost parts of their range, hairy woodpeckers extend farther north into Canada and Alaska than downy woodpeckers. Downies are rare in the boreal forest region while hairies are more widely distributed through Canada’s conifer forests.
Urban Areas
Downy woodpeckers adapt well to suburban areas with smaller woodlots, parks, and scattered trees. Hairy woodpeckers prefer larger forest blocks and are found less frequently near human settlements.
Drumming Differences
One way woodpeckers communicate and establish territories is by drumming on resonant surfaces. The drumming patterns of hairy and downy woodpeckers differ in pace and pitch:
- Hairy woodpeckers drum a slower, pounding roll.
- Downy woodpeckers make a faster series of high-pitched taps.
- Hairy woodpecker drums have longer intervals between drum beats.
- The drumming of downies is faster with a more even, machine gun-like rhythm.
By learning the unique drumming sounds of each species, an observer can identify them without even seeing the birds.
Drumming Speed
The most noticeable difference is drumming speed. Hairy woodpeckers make a slower, pounding roll with longer intervals between individual beats. Downy woodpeckers drum faster with an almost even, mechanical rhythm of rapid fire taps.
Drumming Pitch
The pitch or tone of the two species’ drumming differs too. Hairy woodpeckers make a deeper, louder drumming sound. Downy’s faster drums have a higher pitch and lighter quality.
Vocalizations
The calls of hairy and downy woodpeckers also differ. However, the vocal differences are much more subtle than drumming:
- The “pik” call of hairy woodpeckers sounds sharper, louder, and deeper.
- The “pik” calls of downy woodpeckers are shorter, softer, and higher pitched.
- Hairy woodpeckers make a loud, whinnying “wheek” call rarely heard from downies.
“Pik” Call
The sharp, loud “pik” call serves similarly for both species as a contact call. However, the hairy woodpecker’s version sounds sharper, longer, louder, and deeper than the same call from a downy.
“Wheek” Call
A unique call of the hairy woodpecker is a loud, whinnying “wheek” used by both sexes during the breeding season. Downy woodpeckers rarely make any sound resembling this loud call.
Distribution Differences
The overall geographic distribution of hairy and downy woodpeckers differs across North America. While their ranges broadly overlap, some key differences exist:
- Hairy woodpeckers have an expansive distribution across Canada and Alaska.
- Downy woodpeckers occur in the southwest U.S. and Mexico where hairies are absent.
- On the west coast, hairy woodpeckers range further inland away from the ocean.
- Downy woodpeckers occur in coastal northwest California where hairies are rare.
Canada and Alaska
Hairy woodpeckers have an extensive northern distribution, occupying nearly all forested regions of Canada and Alaska. Downy woodpeckers are absent or scarce from much of the boreal forest region farther north.
Southwest U.S. and Mexico
Downy woodpeckers range farther south, occurring in pine-oak forests of the southwest U.S. and highlands of Mexico. These more arid, southern regions lack hairy woodpeckers.
West Coast
On the west coast, hairy woodpeckers occur widely away from the coast in mountain ranges. Downy woodpeckers are found in coastal northwest California even where hairies are absent.
Conclusion
While hairy woodpeckers and downy woodpeckers appear very similar, a trained birder can distinguish these two common species based on differences in size, plumage, behavior, habitat use, drumming, calls, and distribution. The most reliable field marks are the larger size and lack of a black dot above the bill on the hairy woodpecker. Subtle differences in plumage, habits, drumming, and vocals can provide additional clues for identification. Learning these variations allows bird watchers to confidently separate the hairy and downy woodpeckers found across forests, woodlots, and backyards of North America.