Hairy vs Downy Woodpecker?

by Debra Smith
(NC)

I just want to know what the difference is between a hairy woodpecker and a downy woodpecker. I have them at my home all the time, but they look so much alike in the pictures I can't tell a hairy from a downy. Does anyone know what the difference is between them? Thanks


Comment
These cousins are hard to tell apart because they look very similar. The main way to tell them apart is by size. The Downy Woodpecker is the smaller of the two, about 6 3/4 inches long. (17 cm)
The bigger Hairy Woodpecker is about 9 1/4 inches long. (24 cm)
Susan

Click here to post comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to What Is This Bird?.



Coming Soon

Recent Articles

RSS

  1. Rust colored, domestic bird-Memphis, TN

    Jun 27, 17 04:36 PM

    The bird I am trying to identify has rust colored feathers with some darker markings on its head, back and tail. But its underside is differenct shades

    Read More

  2. Mystery Black Bird

    Jun 26, 17 12:38 PM

    I live in the Dallas Texas area and I have recently noticed a new bird visiting the bird bath in my back yard every day. I am pretty familiar with the

    Read More

  3. Sticky birdmeal

    Jun 26, 17 12:36 PM

    2 Scoops of raisins,1 spoon of raw granola or Cheerios or a mixture of oatmeal,nuts and raisins,last but not least liquidish sunflower seed butter or crunchy

    Read More