First, hairy woodpeckers are bigger than downy woodpeckers. Hairy woodpeckers stand about 9. Hairy woodpeckers also have a longer bill, about as long as their heads, while downy woodpeckers' bills are short in comparison, only about a third of the length of its head, the Audubon Society reports. The tail feathers can also serve as a key identification factor. The outer tail feathers on hairy woodpeckers are usually pure white, while downy woodpeckers typically have white tail feathers with black barring, giving the effect of being spotted, according to Project FeederWatch.
Where you see the bird may also be a clue. While hairy woodpeckers prefer tall trees and more forested area, downys often settle on younger trees or even cattails, the Audubon Society reports. And finally, downy woodpeckers are more prevalent, especially in suburban areas, than their hairy counterparts. Stay up-to-date on the happenings in Will County's forest preserves by subscribing to The Citizen , our weekly digital newsletter that provides subscribers with updates on Forest Preserve news, upcoming events, and other fun and useful information for the whole family.
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These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. Immature Hairy Woodpeckers often will lack this trait. Whether you call it a spur, a comma, or a plumage peninsula, the Hairy Woodpecker usually shows this strong field mark. The Hairy Woodpecker is larger, louder, longer-billed, and has a less-marked tail than the Downy Woodpecker. The first photo in this post is not to scale, but it gives a great impression of the size difference between these two species.
If these tips do not help you in your woodpecker identification, there are several other posts available on the internet to aid you in your birding quest! If you found this post helpful, subscribe to our blog here , for more helpful bird tips! Check out the Peterson Guide to Woodpeckers! Want to see more of our favorite ID guides? Here are a few of our recommendations for beginners:. The Sibley Guide to Birds.
The Crossley ID Guide. New birders will definitely appreciate the ease of use with The Sibley Guide to Birds. Start there, and work your way to easy bird identification! If you want to read all our recommendations on field guides, check out this post! If you enjoy these flocking posts, register for blog notifications , like us on Facebook , follow us on Instagram and Twitter , and visit our Amazon Storefront. Zach Head Flocker. Downy Woodpecker vs Hairy Woodpecker - Identification of two black-and-white woodpeckers.
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