Downy and HairyWoodpecker. I would say, Downy.
Look for a key difference in bill size. This is the easiest way to tell the two species apart.
- The Hairy Woodpecker’s bill is long and chisel-like, and almost the same length as its head.
- In contrast, the Downy’s bill is short and dainty, roughly 1/3 the length of the bird’s head.
- If this is difficult to gauge, a good trick is to imagine turning each bird’s bill around, so that it points toward the back of the bird’s head. How far across the head does it appear to extend? If it is the length of the head, you are looking at a Hairy Woodpecker.
