![]() ![]() Over time the size will become more familiar to you, and you won’t need to lean on the surrounding visuals. But at a distance of 40 feet or more, the difference in length becomes less obvious.Īs your woodpecker moves around, you’ll be able to judge its size in relation to other objects (leaves, branches, etc.). Up close, the two are easy to tell apart, even though they’re the same basic shape and color. Imagine if someone were holding up a silver teaspoon and a silver tablespoon. You could glue rulers to every tree and feeder in sight, or you could remember that a Downy is about the size of a House Sparrow, while the Hairy is about the size of a robin.ĭon’t worry, it gets easier with practice. ![]() Spying this three-inch difference across a meadow or a yard can be hard at first. The Downy is a little over six inches tall, while the Hairy is almost 50 percent taller. If the bill is not in view-the bird is usually facing a tree, after all-move on to what is perhaps the best clue: overall size. The Hairy’s bill is a railroad spike in comparison, and almost as long as the its head. The Downy’s bill is dainty and about one-third the length of the bird’s head. Though they’re very similar, there are some key differences to look out for.įirst, check for the major difference in bill size. It’s easy to find these woodpeckers out in the woods (just like you find shorebirds on the shore), but an early identification challenge for new birders is distinguishing between these two common species. What’s black and white and red all over? Both Hairy and the Downy Woodpeckers, unfortunately. ![]()
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