Woodpecker Archives • PAUL ROEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

IMG 6126 1 - Downy Or Hairy? The Easiest Way To Correctly Identify These Similar Woodpeckers — **Downy Woodpeckers are common in our area and regularly visit backyard feeders.**

When it comes to woodpeckers, the Downy and Hairy are almost identical in appearance. Both reside across our area with the Downy being more abundant and the one most often seen at backyard feeders. There are several ways to correctly identify each bird, but one is by far the easiest.

IMG 5438 Edit Edit - Downy Or Hairy? The Easiest Way To Correctly Identify These Similar Woodpeckers — **Size is one way to correctly identify Hairy (pictured here) and Downy Woodpeckers. However, when seen at a distance or not side-by-side for comparison this can pose a challenge.**

Some may argue that size is the most obvious difference between Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers with the former measuring 6-1/2″ in length and the latter 9-1/2″. Agreed, a 3″ size difference when it comes to birds is substantial; however, when seen at a distance or not side-by-side this can still leave many unsure.

IMG 0561 Edit - Downy Or Hairy? The Easiest Way To Correctly Identify These Similar Woodpeckers — **Downy Woodpecker**

Identifying each bird by their call is another way to tell the difference between a Downy and a Hairy. However, many birders and nature enthusiasts are just not comfortable relying on sound, besides what if the bird is seen and not heard? Learning to identify birds by ear takes quite a bit of practice and is more time consuming than the method I am going to share.

IMG 5209 Edit - Downy Or Hairy? The Easiest Way To Correctly Identify These Similar Woodpeckers — **The black spots on the outer tailfeathers of this Downy Woodpecker clearly visible in this photo are not always easy to see; therefore, this is not the most reliable field mark to look for.**

Looking carefully at their plumage is another option for correctly deciphering between a Downy and Hairy. Both woodpeckers have white outer tail feathers with the Downy displaying black spots on their outer tail feathers while the Hairy’s are plain white. The male Downy and Hairy each display a patch of red on the back of their heads with the Hairy’s being divided in two by a black line. Seeing these characteristics while in the field even with quality binoculars can be a challenge to say the least.

IMG 3459 1 - Downy Or Hairy? The Easiest Way To Correctly Identify These Similar Woodpeckers — Bill length is by far the easiest way, in my opinion, to tell the difference between these similar woodpeckers. In this photo of a Hairy Woodpecker, you can see the bill is roughly the same length as the bird’s head.

By now you might be feeling overwhelmed and doubting your confidence to correctly identify these similar woodpeckers. Let me reassure you it is not that difficult. The easiest way to identify a Downy or Hairy is to look at the length of their bill. The Downy Woodpecker has a much shorter bill roughly 1/3 the length of the bird’s head while the Hairy’s bill is nearly the same length as its head. Even when these birds are pressed against a tree they will often pause with their heads pulled back long enough to get a look at their bill. Quickly size it up in relation to their head and just like that, you have a positive identification.

IMG 5399 Edit - Downy Or Hairy? The Easiest Way To Correctly Identify These Similar Woodpeckers

In the above photo, three of the field marks I mentioned previously can be seen on this Hairy Woodpecker. Note the lack of black spots on the bird’s outer tail feathers. Also visible is the black line that divides the red patch on the back of this male bird’s head. However, the length of the bird’s bill is by far the easiest field mark to see. Sizing it up with the bird’s head shows that it’s roughly the same length, thus correctly identifying this woodpecker as a Hairy.

IMG 5286 Edit 2 Edit 1 - Downy Or Hairy? The Easiest Way To Correctly Identify These Similar Woodpeckers

IMG 5487 Edit Edit Edit - Downy Or Hairy? The Easiest Way To Correctly Identify These Similar Woodpeckers — **Nearly identical in appearance, the Hairy Woodpecker’s bill (top) is significantly longer than the Downy’s (bottom).**

Next time you come across a woodpecker and find yourself asking Downy or Hairy? take a look at the bird’s bill. If the bill is roughly the same length as the bird’s head it’s a Hairy, if the bill is shorter than the bird’s head it’s a Downy. Remembering this simple tip will help you quickly and accurately identify these similar woodpeckers.

Good birding,
Paul

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IMG 5698 1 - The Red-Bellied Woodpecker Is Tops On My Bird List — This Red-bellied Woodpecker displays the reddish belly for which they are named; the grey crown indicated this bird is a female.

When it comes to birds and birding, “What is your favourite bird” is the question I am asked most frequently. It is a difficult question to answer because I can honestly say I love all birds. Some I prefer more than others but I do love them all, even Starlings and Grackles.

If I had name a bird as my favourite, it would be the Red-bellied Woodpecker. I find their black and white feather pattern combined with their red crowns and napes simply striking. Their ascending, rolling call is music to my ears. The fact that these birds are easily found clinging to tree trunks in plain view, is another point in favour for this bird. Their medium size, colour, and call make locating and photographing these birds much easier than smaller birds that prefer a more dense habitat. Red-bellied Woodpeckers are often called Red Headed Woodpeckers by mistake, a separate species of woodpecker. The reddish belly for which they are named is most often held close to tree trunks and therefore is seldom seen.

12055495213 19dcffb885 o - The Red-Bellied Woodpecker Is Tops On My Bird List — Red-bellied Woodpeckers are often found clinging to tree trunks and stumps searching for food.

Red-bellied Woodpeckers are year round residents in our area and can be found in most forests and wooded areas. These birds also regularly frequent city parks and backyards. If you wish to attract these and other woodpeckers to your property, the addition of a peanut and suet feeder will certainly help.

12935884575 670f788bdd o1 - The Red-Bellied Woodpecker Is Tops On My Bird List — Red-bellied and other woodpeckers use their powerful beaks to excavate food from trees. The solid red crown indicates that this bird is a male.

Red-bellied Woodpeckers feed on insects, nuts, seeds and berries and are most often seen clinging to tree trunks searching for food. Woodpeckers listen for insects and other arthropods living behind the tree’s bark. Once food is located, they use their powerful beaks to move the bark or excavate a hole in the trunk. Next their long, sticky tongue is used to remove their meal. Red-bellied and other woodpeckers can also be seen storing food such as seeds and nuts behind tree bark and in cavities to be consumed later.

IMG 7103 1 2 - The Red-Bellied Woodpecker Is Tops On My Bird List — Woodpeckers use their long sticky tongues to extract insects and other arthropods from tree cavities.

IMG 7108 1 - The Red-Bellied Woodpecker Is Tops On My Bird List — Success! Today’s meal appears to be some type of larva or grub.

If finding one of these woodpeckers is something you wish to do, start by learning their call. I say this about a lot of birds, but in the case of the Red-bellied Woodpecker their call is easily recognized and they are not shy about using it to give away their location. If one of these birds is in the area you will hear it. Next time you come across a Red-bellied Woodpecker, admire their beautiful colours, markings and call. Once you do, it may become one of your favourite birds as well.

Good birding,
Paul