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. long billed bird

    Aug 18, 18 02:14 PM

    This is a very long-billed bird that loves mealworms. He resembles a brown thrasher without the long tail feathers.

    Read More

  2. Thistle whizzle

    Aug 18, 18 02:13 PM

    We have been trying to attract thes little beauties fir years with a variety of fancy thistle seed. Gave up and let them have at the sunflowers in our

    Read More

  3. Dull-colored bug-eater with a yellow beak?!

    Aug 14, 18 05:25 PM

    Spotted in Southeastern PA on 8/13/2018. Sparrow-sized. Blackish-greyish legs. Bright yellow beak. White breast without markings. Brownish wings with white

    Read More