Tricky Bird IDs: Downy Woodpecker and Hairy Woodpecker

Downy and Hairy woodpeckers are widely distributed across North America. Both commonly visit feeder areas where they feed on suet and sometimes seeds. These woodpeckers are the only common woodpeckers that show a vertical white stripe on the back. Males have a red patch on the back of the head. Juveniles may have a wash of red, orange, or (rarely) yellow on the crown.

Overall size and bill size and shape are the most useful characters for distinguishing the two species in the field. There are subtle plumage features that can also be useful when a good closeup view is possible.

• A small black-and-white woodpecker (approximately 6.5" long).

• The bill is rather short and dainty, about one-third as long as the distance from the base of the bill to the back of the head.

• The wings are black with white wing coverts. White is greatly reduced in birds of the Rockies and the Northwest. (The Pacific race is also dirtier colored with a few black spots on the upper sides of breast.)

• Some individiuals show a "comma-shaped" black mark that extends from the shoulder onto the breast, though it is often not as obvious as it is on the Hairy.

• The white outer tail feathers on the Downy Woodpecker are usually barred in black, giving a spotted effect.

• More likely than Hairy to be observed in suburban areas.

• Downy Woodpeckers have weaker, squeakier calls and a slower drum than Hairy Woodpeckers, though it may take some practice to learn the differences.

• A black-and-white woodpecker about the size of a robin (averaging 9-13" long).

• The bill is long, chisel-like, about as long as the distance from the base of the bill to the back of the head.

• The wings are black with white wing coverts. White is greatly reduced in birds of the Rockies and the Northwest. (The Pacific race also looks darker or dingier and has more streaks on the flanks than the whiter, cleaner Eastern race.)

• Note the well-developed "comma-shaped" black mark extending from the shoulder onto the breast. This feature is often less obvious in Downy's and is sometimes a useful distinguishing mark.

• In most of the Eastern U.S., Hairys have completely white outer tail feathers. Black bars can be found on the outer tail feathers on birds of the Pacific race and in Newfoundland.

• Hairy Woodpeckers have louder, more powerful calls and a faster drum.
  

Identification Tips

• Check the heaviness and length of the bill compared to the head. If the bill looks small, much smaller than the width of the head, the bird is a Downy.
  
  
• Try to see if a some black extends from the neck/shoulder into the upper breast of the bird. This can be difficult to see in the field but can help confirm an identification if you can see it. The photos above show the difference in this marking between the two species.
  
  
• Look for black on the outer tail feathers. If you can see the under side of the outer tail feathers, and they are completely white, then you can be certain that you have a Hairy Woodpecker. This field mark can be tricky, though. Sometimes black barring shows on the outer side of these feathers (as in the photo above), but not always (as can be seen in the last Downy Woodpecker photo on the photo page), and it can be difficult to see the underside of the feathers. Furthermore, although Downys never have completely white outer tail feathers underneath, some Hairy Woodpeckers have the barring, so seeing bars does not necessarily mean you have a Downy.
  
  
• Look at the overall size of the bird. Size is a reliable field mark, but it can be difficult to judge in the field. Some participants have measured their feeders to help them judge size. One participant even marked different lengths on his peanut feeder. See his story in FeederWatching Tips.

Additional Resources

See FeederWatcher photos of these two woodpecker species.

Visit the Lab's All About Birds web site to find species accounts for Downy Woodpecker and Hairy Woodpecker that detail the range, habitat, and food preferences of each species.

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Illustrations by Larry McQueen