It has an average length of 6 to 7 inches. A Downy Woodpecker is usually smaller than a Hairy Woodpecker. Hairy Woodpecker vs Downy Woodpecker: Size Hairy Woodpeckers are larger than Downy Woodpeckers.Īside from the bill, the easiest and most obvious way to determine their identities is by their sizes. Although these markings are not very prominent and can vary through several factors, they can still ease the identification through this feature. While both have comma-shaped black marks extending from the shoulder onto the breast, Hairy Woodpeckers have it well-developed, hence more obvious than Downy Woodpeckers. Some Downy Woodpeckers have white plain shoulders while Hairy Woodpeckers have black spurs which can only be visible on mature ones. We can also consider shoulders as one difference. In contrast, hairy woodpeckers excavate using their larger, usually oval-shaped cavities. Downy woodpeckers have smaller and round-shaped cavities. If by chance, you see their nesting holes, this will surely give you a clue on the bird’s identity. Hairy Woodpecker vs Downy Woodpecker: Head and Body Downy Woodpeckers have white plain shoulders.ĭowny and Hairy woodpeckers are both cavity-nesting birds. Downy, with its shorter bill, makes it lighter and allows it to balance on easily breakable branches. The bill size difference has its own advantage: Hairy, with its larger bill, allows it to drill deeper. On the other hand, the hairy woodpecker’s bill has the same length as its head, proportionally thick, stouter, and most of the time dagger-like or chiseled-sharp in appearance. Also, some cases may appear even smaller if the nasal bristles are fluffed. The downy woodpecker’s bill is short and dainty, about half to one-third distant from the base of the bill to the back of the head. Upon scrutiny, one can say that these two species obviously differ in bill lengths. Bird watchers or birdies know how to determine birds by being keen on their most common features. Hairy Woodpeckers have larger bills than Downy Woodpeckers. Hairy Woodpec6ker vs Downy Woodpecker: Bills Compared to Downy Woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpeckers have longer bills.ģ2,096 People Couldn't Ace This Quiz Think You Can? Take Our A-Z-Animals Birds Quiz But through their physical features, we’ll be able to point out which is which. For instance, downy woodpeckers are curious and bold, while hairy woodpeckers are shy and will more likely fly away. However, these two birds’ differences do not only encompass their body appearances but also their behavior and voices. In spite of their remarkable commonalities, the main differences between Hairy Woodpeckers (Picoides villosus) and Downy Woodpeckers (Picoides pubescens) include their bills, head and body, size, tail, and their habitat. The 5 Key Differences of Hairy Woodpecker and Downy Woodpecker – Forests and fringes, much more likely in yards – White outer feathers with spots/barring – Some individuals show a comma-shaped black mark that extends from the shoulder onto the breast. – a well-developed comma-shaped black mark extending from the shoulder onto the breast. – short and dainty, about a third of its head size – long, chisel-like, almost as long as its head Comparing a Hairy Woodpecker and a Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpeckers differ from Downy Woodpeckers in size, bills, and tails. So, what are the differences between the Hairy Woodpecker vs Downy Woodpecker? Below, we will take a closer look at each of these tiny creatures’ bill, head and body, size, tail, and habitat. Still, there are certain distinctions between them. That’s right, the Hairy Woodpecker! For a first-time birdwatcher, the differences between the two are quite challenging to tell because both have the characteristics of a woodpecker, such as sharp and thin bills and tiny size. But fun fact is they have a look-a-like cousin which one might mistake them for. These little visitors love suet cakes, peanuts, and sunflower seeds and are often seen clinging on dead trees. Downy woodpeckers are most common in the backyards of North America.
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