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

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