Appendix:Downy Woodpecker vs. Hairy Woodpecker



These two birds are both black and white while the males have a small red nape patch while females don't have this. They both have a white back which helps to ID them from other woodpeckers.

Downy Woodpecker
A small, short-billed woodpecker with proportionately large head and short broad neck. Bill less than ½ depth of head. Outer tail feathers generally have faint bars or spots.

The call is softer and higher-pitched and not as wild sounding than Hairy's.

Hairy Woodpecker
Medium-sized woodpecker with a long bill that is usually more than ½ depth of head. They have a thinner body, more oblong head, defined neck, longer bill and proportionately smaller nasal tufts than the Downy. The outer tail feathers are generally white.

The peek call is much louder than the Downy's.