Woodpeckers: Hairy and Downy
I have chosen to include both hairy and downy woodpeckers on the same page as they are very similar and this way, they may be easily compared with each other.
The male hairy and the male downy each have read on their heads. There are very subtle differences between the hairy and downy, but the most obvious is their size. The hairy woodpecker is much larger. Also, his beak is much longer in comparison to his body than the beak of the downy.
In general, if you have to ask yourself if it is a downy or a hairy, it is probably a downy. This is because the hairy is more rarely seen and when you do see him, you will immediately be struck by how large he is. I learned this firsthand last summer when I saw a hairy woodpecker for the first time.
Another thing to note is that downy woodpeckers are often seen in pairs (often male and female) or even in groups. The hairy, however, is usually seen by himself. When you really get a good look at the bird's beak, it is pretty much unmistakable which variety he is; the downy's beak looks ridiculously short for a woodpecker, while the hairy's beak is ridiculously long for most birds of their size.
Left: I believe this is a female downy woodpecker, but I am now doubting myself (and I was only a few feet away from her just yesterday). I have been watching and studying these birds for awhile now, so don't feel bad if you have to constantly question yourself on if the bird you just saw was a downy or a hairy, too.
The male hairy and the male downy each have read on their heads. There are very subtle differences between the hairy and downy, but the most obvious is their size. The hairy woodpecker is much larger. Also, his beak is much longer in comparison to his body than the beak of the downy.
In general, if you have to ask yourself if it is a downy or a hairy, it is probably a downy. This is because the hairy is more rarely seen and when you do see him, you will immediately be struck by how large he is. I learned this firsthand last summer when I saw a hairy woodpecker for the first time.
Another thing to note is that downy woodpeckers are often seen in pairs (often male and female) or even in groups. The hairy, however, is usually seen by himself. When you really get a good look at the bird's beak, it is pretty much unmistakable which variety he is; the downy's beak looks ridiculously short for a woodpecker, while the hairy's beak is ridiculously long for most birds of their size.
Left: I believe this is a female downy woodpecker, but I am now doubting myself (and I was only a few feet away from her just yesterday). I have been watching and studying these birds for awhile now, so don't feel bad if you have to constantly question yourself on if the bird you just saw was a downy or a hairy, too.