First, check for the major difference in bill size. The birdhouse should be mounted 8-20 feet above the ground preferably on a tree in a forest, forest openings and edges or groves. If the bill is not in view—the bird is usually facing a tree, after all—move on to what is perhaps the best clue: overall size. The Hairy prefers towering trees and deeper woods, while the Downy will settle for baby birches and cattails. At times, they eat nuts and some fruits. Breeding happens two to three months before nesting. They use their chisel-like beaks like a crowbar to remove bark from the sides of trees and to drill for their food. Its back is almost entirely black and its wings covered with black and white feathers. The Hairy’s bill is a railroad spike in comparison, and almost as long as the its head. Make a 6″ by 6″ floor (inside dimensions) and a 14″ floor to ceiling height (inside front). Over time the size will become more familiar to you, and you won’t need to lean on the surrounding visuals. The most familiar and widespread resident woodpecker in North America is the Hairy Woodpecker. Spread the word. As your woodpecker moves around, you’ll be able to judge its size in relation to other objects (leaves, branches, etc.). Most backyards don't have dead and decaying trees that Woodpeckers … The Downy’s bill is dainty and about one-third the length of the bird’s head. It’s easy to find these woodpeckers out in the woods (just like you find shorebirds on the shore), but an early identification challenge for new birders is distinguishing between these two common species. The 3 Woodpecker House may be used by the Red-bellied Woodpecker, The Hairy, and the Red-headed Woodpecker. Hairy Woodpeckers have a somewhat soldierly look, with their erect, straight-backed posture on tree trunks and their cleanly striped heads. You could glue rulers to every tree and feeder in sight, or you could remember that a Downy is about the size of a House Sparrow, while the Hairy is about the size of a robin. Can This Critically Endangered Bird Survive Australia's New Climate Reality? We protect birds and the places they need. The most familiar and widespread resident woodpecker in North America is the Hairy Woodpecker. “The views expressed in user comments do not reflect the views of Audubon. Up close, the two are easy to tell apart, even though they’re the same basic shape and color. Lastly, it’s important to note that the Downy Woodpecker is much more abundant than its Hairy counterpart, especially in suburbia. Hairy Woodpecker. Speak out against the Yazoo Backwater Pumps which would drain 200,000 acres of crucial bird habitat. Across North America, they can be found at a variety of elevations from sea level to high in the mountains. It wields a much longer bill than the Downy Woodpecker's almost thornlike bill. Also, the male Hairy’s red patch is often split in two, while the Downy’s is not. They frequent backyard feeders for seeds and suets. National Audubon Society ... You could glue rulers to every tree and feeder in sight, or you could remember that a Downy is about the size of a House Sparrow, while the Hairy is about the size of a robin. Dryobates villosus. Downy and Hairy Woodpecker Nest Box Materials One 1x8” x 8’ rough cedar board Twenty 1-1/2” outdoor wood screws or # 7 galvanized nails Wire to keep side door shut A Pivot screws work as hinges. Audubon protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Once a pair bond is formed, both sexes drum. A suitable birdhouse for a Hairy Woodpecker has a 1 ½ inch entrance hole and a hole height above the floor of 8-12 inches. Spying this three-inch difference across a meadow or a yard can be hard at first. This bird is about 7 and 13 inches long. It is primarily a forest bird that prefers to live in dead trees. To catch insects, they would religiously tap and probe at the bark of a tree sometimes excavating deep into the bark. Overwhelmed and Understaffed, Our National Wildlife Refuges Need Help. Your support helps secure a future for birds at risk. To allow the side to open easily, the pivot screw on the opposite side needs to be level with the one in front. Our email newsletter shares the latest programs and initiatives. In some instances, when leaves are budding, they will peck and tear at the buds to catch the hidden insects. Or take action immediately with one of our current campaigns below: The Audubon Bird Guide is a free and complete field guide to more than 800 species of North American birds, right in your pocket. But at a distance of 40 feet or more, the difference in length becomes less obvious. It is a black and white bird with a sturdy bill as long as its head. You have two options. © Powered by ScanSoft Trading Company Ltd. Drill a 1 5/8″ diameter entrance hole located 11″ … What’s black and white and red all over? Let us send you the latest in bird and conservation news. Bird Houses 101 - Everything You Need to Know About Birdhouses, for North American Birds. BestNest Classic Three-Woodpecker House Offer a convenient home to red-headed, hairy, or red-bellied woodpeckers with the BestNest Classic Three-Woodpecker House. Don’t worry, it gets easier with practice. Hairy Woodpeckers are monogamous. Illustrations from the book "A Field Guide to the birds" by Roger Tory Peterson. Photo: Dick Dickinson/Audubon Photography Awards. This shelter creates a perfect roosting spot in your area, for the delight of these cavity nesting birds. Hairy Woodpecker About The Hairy Woodpecker. Membership benefits include one year of Audubon magazine and the latest on birds and their habitats. The Downy is a little over six inches tall, while the Hairy is almost 50 percent taller. The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Legal Notices Privacy Policy Contact Us. Though they’re very similar, there are some key differences to look out for. Size and tail color are two of the biggest clues when deciphering these two backyard regulars. If you're already feeding and watching these birds now, why not encourage them to nest in your backyard also! They can “hear” the insects under the barks of the trees. Use wood rough-cut on both sides so that birds can grip both interior and exterior surfaces. The hairy woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) is a medium-sized woodpecker that is found over a large area of North America. Right: Downy Woodpecker. The male has a red patch on its nape while the female has a black patch of feathers on the back of its head. Eat nuts and some fruits, vines, sugar canes, rotting branches and remains... 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