Downy Woodpecker vs Hairy Woodpecker
Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers share nearly identical black-and-white plumage and overlap across most of North America. They are not closely related — the resemblance is a textbook case of convergence — and three field marks separate them reliably.
| Field mark | Downy Woodpecker | Hairy Woodpecker |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5.5–6.7 in (sparrow-sized) | 7.1–10.2 in (robin-sized) |
| Bill length | Short — about 1/3 the depth of the head | Long, chisel-like — about equal to head depth |
| Outer tail feathers | White with black spots or bars | Clean, unmarked white |
| Call | Soft "pik"; descending whinny | Sharp, loud "peek"; even-pitched rattle |
| Habitat | Yards, parks, weedy fields, small trees and weed stems | Mature forest and large trees |
| At feeders | Common year-round; uses small tube feeders | Warier; mainly suet near big trunks |
| Nest box hole | 1 1/4 in | 1 1/2 in |
Field tips
- Judge the bill against the head: if the bill looks like a stubby thorn, it's a Downy.
- Downies often forage on goldenrod and other weed stems; Hairies almost never do.
- Size is unreliable alone unless both are present together — compare against the feeder or suet cage.
Full species profiles
Frequently asked
What is the easiest way to tell a Downy from a Hairy Woodpecker?
Bill length relative to head. A Downy's bill is roughly a third the depth of its head; a Hairy's bill is about as long as its head is deep.
Are Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers related?
They share a genus (Dryobates) but are not each other's closest relatives. Their similar plumage is thought to be convergent, possibly because resembling the larger Hairy helps Downies in competition with other birds.
Which one comes to feeders more?
Downy Woodpeckers are far more frequent feeder visitors. Hairy Woodpeckers appear mostly in colder months, typically on suet near large trees.
Sources
- Downy Woodpecker — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Hairy Woodpecker — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Hairy Woodpecker — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.