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. Pink bellied black bird?

    Sep 21, 17 09:29 AM

    We had a bird about the size of a woodpecker which acted like a woodpecker on our tree two days ago. The most distinctive feature was a light pink belly.

    Read More

  2. YellowGreen Bird ID help

    Sep 08, 17 04:37 PM

    This bird is about the size of a small cardinal. I have never seen it at a feeder but it comes to the bird bath. The photo is not the best but hopefully

    Read More

  3. Paul

    Sep 03, 17 09:24 PM

    A relative went to HB class. They found it is safe and more effective to use 2 water to 1 sugar. I use 4 cups of boiling water into 2 cups sugar.

    Read More