What a fortunate coincidence for me, James. About two weeks ago I found a decedent woodpecker on my morning walk with my sweet Labradoodle. Birds fascinate me. While nothing close to a devoted birder I admire details and this one stymied me. I checked my Patterson Eastern US Guide and an old, well used Audubon Field Guide. After much back and forth I settled on an immature Downy Woodpecker. Recent death, as rigor mortis had not set in. The undamaged eye was still quite clear. Its weight in my hand was almost undetectable. I offered a prayerful return to Great Spirit, the home of us all. Thanks ever so much.
A Native American man I used to know modeled treating dead animals respectfully. In the bed of his Datsun pick up he carried heavy plastic bags, a shovel, and a bucket. Seeing animals’ lives ended on or by roadways and slowly decomposing hurt his heart. He and his wife lived a good distance from cities and HOA’s so they had a large garden that became the final resting place for his rescues. Quite a good man.
Thanks James, I feel confident that I can now tell them apart. By sight the beak size makes their faces look quite different. (Hopefully I’m correct then that it is a Downy in the final photo.) This summer I was using a bird app to discover who was in our surroundings, and hairy woodpecker was in that mix. I didn’t realize there was such a seemingly fine line between the two, and I will be on the lookout/listen now that I know. I was most fascinated by the bit about how the two species diverged over 6 million years ago, and how plumage mimicry is thought to be responsible for so many similarities. Also, thank you so much for recommending True Nature. I really appreciate it.
Thank you Emma. The size of the bill is the biggest telltale, in my opinion. And you are correct, that final photo is a Downy! Bird divergence/convergence is very interesting. I also recently learned that even Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s aren’t that closely related (wish I learned that before I wrote about them).
I didn't know they diverged so long ago! My guess is Downy for the quiz photo, but that is a toughie. We get Downy and Red-bellied in our yard, and the Reds look enormous in comparison.
Correct, Thomas! That one did seem a good photo for a quiz, could understand if somebody guessed Hairy. Indeed, a Red-bellied dwarfs a Downy. Woodpecker relations/classification is actually a really interesting topic I learned a little about while writing this, so will write more on that in the future. (That and Cooper's Hawks might no longer being accipiters, which I admittedly learned from a HawkWatch Instagram meme.)
Two super common woodpeckers where I live and still I often have to look really hard. Maybe it's just me, but sometimes the bill is a dead giveaway, and sometimes it looks somewhere in between. My go-to when all else fails is the undertail
Same here, with most photos I shared here, it was clear while taking them because of the bill. That one of the bird creeping up the tree was tough in the moment, but still the bill. The tail for me helps for confirmation. Thank you Nathaniel, for reading and your comment.
That's an excellent explanation of the differences between the two species and interesting to know that they're not closely related (though not only appearance, but also Latin names would suggest close relationship). I'd say the 'mystery' woodpecker in your final photo is a Downy (short stubby beak). Here in the UK we have the great Spotted Woodpecker and the Lesser Spotted, in Scotland only the Great Spotted.
Thank you Juliet, woodpecker Latin names are kind of a rabbit hole I found out from writing this, so will do a future post just on woodpecker classification. And you are correct, the photo is a Downy!
Wonderful article - I'd assumed the two were closely related, so I was surprised to read it's convergent evolution. Interesting. And thank you James for including one of my pieces on your Recommended Reading list - much appreciated! :)
A most excellent breakdown of these two woodpeckers, James. These two confused me for a time when I first became interested in birding. More often than not, I would misidentify a Downy as a Hairy, but never the other way around. Haha.
That's an excellent point you include about the difference in bill size. The bill size of the Hairy Woodpecker could certainly be described as 'menacing.' That bill could do some serious damage compared to the bill on their smaller cousiin the Downy Woodpecker.
Correct! I was pretty fixated on telling these apart earlier in my birding career too, Neil. Like you I more often said a Downy was a Hairy than vice versa. I blame wishful thinking—Downy is commoner overall and more likely in suburbs.
Are you familiar with the Picoides to Dryobates change? Bit of a rabbit hole, I started a different post strictly about woodpecker classification and which species are more closely related to which.
Ah, I am not familiar with that Picoides to Dryobates change. Something I will look into though as I am weak in the evolutionary side of the bird world.
Thank you, James! This is a fantastic field guide and discussion on the Downy and Hairy woodpeckers. Thank you for referencing my question, too. I’m going to say the Quiz answer is a Downy, only because the beak looks smaller than the bird’s head. Otherwise, it’s still a toss up for my novice id skills.
This was a pleasure to write, Heidi. You are correct, it’s a Downy. I have more photos of Downy than Hairy but this one seemed a good candidate for a quick quiz
What a fortunate coincidence for me, James. About two weeks ago I found a decedent woodpecker on my morning walk with my sweet Labradoodle. Birds fascinate me. While nothing close to a devoted birder I admire details and this one stymied me. I checked my Patterson Eastern US Guide and an old, well used Audubon Field Guide. After much back and forth I settled on an immature Downy Woodpecker. Recent death, as rigor mortis had not set in. The undamaged eye was still quite clear. Its weight in my hand was almost undetectable. I offered a prayerful return to Great Spirit, the home of us all. Thanks ever so much.
Sounds like you gave that immature Downy the respectful ceremonial departure he deserved. Thank you Gary.
A Native American man I used to know modeled treating dead animals respectfully. In the bed of his Datsun pick up he carried heavy plastic bags, a shovel, and a bucket. Seeing animals’ lives ended on or by roadways and slowly decomposing hurt his heart. He and his wife lived a good distance from cities and HOA’s so they had a large garden that became the final resting place for his rescues. Quite a good man.
Thanks James, I feel confident that I can now tell them apart. By sight the beak size makes their faces look quite different. (Hopefully I’m correct then that it is a Downy in the final photo.) This summer I was using a bird app to discover who was in our surroundings, and hairy woodpecker was in that mix. I didn’t realize there was such a seemingly fine line between the two, and I will be on the lookout/listen now that I know. I was most fascinated by the bit about how the two species diverged over 6 million years ago, and how plumage mimicry is thought to be responsible for so many similarities. Also, thank you so much for recommending True Nature. I really appreciate it.
Thank you Emma. The size of the bill is the biggest telltale, in my opinion. And you are correct, that final photo is a Downy! Bird divergence/convergence is very interesting. I also recently learned that even Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s aren’t that closely related (wish I learned that before I wrote about them).
I have always been fascinated with woodpeckers. I am glad I read this post James.
Thank you Shital, I am glad you enjoyed this and that it aligned with your woodpecker curiosity.
Such a great article James. All newbie birders should read it to help make identifying them easier.
Thank you Sandra, I agree learning the differences sooner than later will save many new birders a lot of headaches
That's a Downy!!!
Good work Rob!!
I didn't know they diverged so long ago! My guess is Downy for the quiz photo, but that is a toughie. We get Downy and Red-bellied in our yard, and the Reds look enormous in comparison.
Correct, Thomas! That one did seem a good photo for a quiz, could understand if somebody guessed Hairy. Indeed, a Red-bellied dwarfs a Downy. Woodpecker relations/classification is actually a really interesting topic I learned a little about while writing this, so will write more on that in the future. (That and Cooper's Hawks might no longer being accipiters, which I admittedly learned from a HawkWatch Instagram meme.)
Two super common woodpeckers where I live and still I often have to look really hard. Maybe it's just me, but sometimes the bill is a dead giveaway, and sometimes it looks somewhere in between. My go-to when all else fails is the undertail
Same here, with most photos I shared here, it was clear while taking them because of the bill. That one of the bird creeping up the tree was tough in the moment, but still the bill. The tail for me helps for confirmation. Thank you Nathaniel, for reading and your comment.
That's an excellent explanation of the differences between the two species and interesting to know that they're not closely related (though not only appearance, but also Latin names would suggest close relationship). I'd say the 'mystery' woodpecker in your final photo is a Downy (short stubby beak). Here in the UK we have the great Spotted Woodpecker and the Lesser Spotted, in Scotland only the Great Spotted.
Thank you Juliet, woodpecker Latin names are kind of a rabbit hole I found out from writing this, so will do a future post just on woodpecker classification. And you are correct, the photo is a Downy!
Wonderful article - I'd assumed the two were closely related, so I was surprised to read it's convergent evolution. Interesting. And thank you James for including one of my pieces on your Recommended Reading list - much appreciated! :)
Thank you Lindsay—definitely interesting to dig into the woodpeckers a bit, and happy to include your wonderful piece
Your knowledge of birds is amazing James. Combined with your photos, you make each one you present come to life. 💕
Thank you so much Teyani! I’m glad you enjoy Rock & Hawk
Pop quiz answer: Downy Woodpecker.
A most excellent breakdown of these two woodpeckers, James. These two confused me for a time when I first became interested in birding. More often than not, I would misidentify a Downy as a Hairy, but never the other way around. Haha.
That's an excellent point you include about the difference in bill size. The bill size of the Hairy Woodpecker could certainly be described as 'menacing.' That bill could do some serious damage compared to the bill on their smaller cousiin the Downy Woodpecker.
Correct! I was pretty fixated on telling these apart earlier in my birding career too, Neil. Like you I more often said a Downy was a Hairy than vice versa. I blame wishful thinking—Downy is commoner overall and more likely in suburbs.
Are you familiar with the Picoides to Dryobates change? Bit of a rabbit hole, I started a different post strictly about woodpecker classification and which species are more closely related to which.
Ah, I am not familiar with that Picoides to Dryobates change. Something I will look into though as I am weak in the evolutionary side of the bird world.
Is the final photo a Downy? That beak looks fairly small...
That is correct, Alice! The bill is pretty small looking, great job keying in on that.
Thank you, James! This is a fantastic field guide and discussion on the Downy and Hairy woodpeckers. Thank you for referencing my question, too. I’m going to say the Quiz answer is a Downy, only because the beak looks smaller than the bird’s head. Otherwise, it’s still a toss up for my novice id skills.
This was a pleasure to write, Heidi. You are correct, it’s a Downy. I have more photos of Downy than Hairy but this one seemed a good candidate for a quick quiz
Hooray! I feel so empowered! Thank you James.:)