#Hairy vs downy woodpecker how to#

It’s for this reasons that their numbers are thought to be declining in many areas where they are forced to compete with Starlings and House Sparrows. Although the Hairy and Downy woodpeckers share many of the same habitat, the Hairy woodpeckers need larger trees to live and successfully breed. The larger Hairy Woodpeckers are more often found in more mature forests across North America. The Hairy Woodpecker likes more mature forests

Distinguishing between the Downy (actually the smallest woodpecker in North America) and the Hairy is difficult at times but with a little practise the differences become more obvious. Their size and a few specific identification markings will help you identify these three birds at your feeder. It’s easy to mistake one woodpecker from another considering all three are primarily black and white birds with similarly longish beaks.

#Hairy vs downy woodpecker how to#

How to identify woodpeckers at the feeder Woodpeckers also boast long, barbed tongues that includes a sticky substance that enables them to search crevices and cracks for insects and larvae. Woodpeckers even have a covering of feathers over their nostrils to help filter out wood splinters and dust that is generated during their aggressive pounding on trees. Their chisel-shaped bills are constructed of strong bone overlaid with a hard covering that broadens toward the birds’ heads helping to spread the force of the birds’ heavy pecking. Īll woodpeckers share a number of special anatomical features that allow them to dig or violently carve holes in wood. In fact, even in winter when insects are sparse, these woodpeckers keep busy using their long beaks to probe under or between bark in search of insects.įor more on feeding backyard birds check out these articles on The Tufted Titmouse, Seed cyclinders, Attracting Orioles, attracting Indigo Buntings. They will also readily take the black-oil sunflower seed in the feeders.Īlthough they are among the most frequent visitors to our feeders, their primary food source is without a doubt insects and larvae of all kinds. It’s also common to see them flitting about searching out the Bark Butter and DIY feeders I leave on home-made snags that have been set up around the feeders. Woodpeckers are probably the most common bird at our feeders most winter days.īetween the Downy, Hairy and Red-Bellied there always seems to be at least a couple working the seed cylinder that sits atop our feeder pole, or one of the many suet feeders that provide them with a high-fat source of food when the weather turns colder. Downy, Hairy and Red-Bellied Woodpeckers: What they eat