115: Downy vs. Hairy Woodpecker: How to Tell These Look-Alike Birds Apart

Is that a Downy Woodpecker or a Hairy Woodpecker?It's one of the most common—and frustrating—bird identification questions in North America. These two black-and-white woodpeckers look remarkably similar, often visit the same habitats and backyard feeders, and can be difficult to tell apart at first glance.In this episode of Birds of a Feather Talk Together, Field Museum ornithologists and Curators of Birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole to break down the differences between Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers.We explore the easiest ways to identify them, including overall size, bill length, plumage, calls, behavior, and habitat.How can you tell a Downy Woodpecker from a Hairy Woodpecker? Which one is bigger? How important is bill size for identification? Do they sound different? Do Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers visit bird feeders? And why do two different species look so remarkably similar?We also get into the fascinating evolutionary story behind these look-alike birds and what their similarities can teach us about bird evolution.If you've ever stared at a black-and-white woodpecker in your backyard and thought, "Downy or Hairy?" this episode is for you.By the end, you'll know what to look and listen for the next time one of these woodpeckers lands on a tree—or your suet feeder.Plus, we answer a mailbag question from one of our longtime listeners that led to a surprisingly “spark”-filled discussion — you won’t want to miss it!🎧 Tune in now for bird identification tips, fun woodpecker facts, and expert insight from some of the best voices in ornithology.Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow:YouTube InstagramTikTokBlueSky