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Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers

Downy and Hairy woodpeckers are widely distributed across North America. Both commonly visit feeder areas where they feed on suet and sometimes seeds.  These are the only woodpeckers with a vertical white stripe on the back. Hairy Woodpeckers are roughly three inches taller and their bills are about as long as their heads are wide. The bills of the Downy are only about one-third the width of their heads.

downy woodpecker heading

Hairy Woodpecker Heading

Downy Woodpecker


 

Hairy Woodpecker illustration by Larry McQueen

Listen to Downy's call or drum [227k wav]

Listen to Hairy's call or drum [188 k wav]

  • A small (approximately 6.5" long) black-and-white woodpecker with a short, dainty beak. The beak is about one-third 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.

  • Some individiuals also 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.

  • Note the distinct tuft of nasal bristles at the base of the beak.

  • The Pacific race is dirtier with a few black spots on the upper sides of breast.
  • Only males have a red patch on the back of the head. Juveniles may have tuft of red on forehead.
  • Over 50% of FeederWatch sites host these at their feeders all winter long.

 

  • A black-and-white woodpecker about the size of a robin (avg. 9-13" long), with a long, chisel-like beak. The beak is 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.

  • 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.

  • Nasal bristles are small and inconspicuous.

  • The Pacific race looks darker, dingier and has more streaks on the flanks than the whiter, cleaner Eastern race.  

  • Only males have a red patch on the back of the head. Juveniles may have tuft of red on forehead.
  • More likely than Downy to be observed at rural sites (often in pairs).

 



Acknowledgements:

Resources used to compile this species comparison: The Sibley Guide to Birds (published by Alffred A. Knopf, Inc.); Field Guide to the Birds of North America (published by National Geographic); Woodpeckers: A Guide to the Woodpeckers of the World (published by Houghton Mifflin Company); Birds at Your Feeder: A Guide to Feeding Habits, Behavior, Distribution, and Abundance (published by W.W. Norton & Company); The FeederWatcher's Guide to Bird Feeding by Margaret Barker and Jack Griggs (published by HarperCollins).

Illustrations by Larry McQueen, a world-renowned bird artist whose work is highly regarded for its ability to capture the true "essence" and beauty of birds.

Recording credits: Downy Woodpecker calls and drumming recorded by William W. H. Gunn. Hairy Woodpecker peek, rattle, and drumming recorded by Robert C. Stein and Geoffrey A. Keller.  LNS catalogue numbers 49075, 06938, and 50166, respectively.