The Hairy Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker that can be found across much of North America. With their black and white plumage, hairy appearance, and distinctive pecking on trees, Hairy Woodpeckers have a very recognizable look. However, there are some other birds that at first glance can be confused with the Hairy Woodpecker. In this article, we will explore what bird looks like a Hairy Woodpecker, comparing appearance, behavior, habitat, and range to identify the similarities and differences between these woodpecker look-alikes. Understanding the distinction between these birds takes a keen eye and attention to detail. Proper identification is important for birders and ornithologists, as well as for understanding and protecting these unique species.
Downy Woodpecker
One of the most common birds that looks nearly identical to the Hairy Woodpecker is the Downy Woodpecker. This is the smallest woodpecker in North America, with adults measuring only 6-7 inches in length with a wingspan of 11-12 inches. They are black and white in coloration, with a broad white stripe down the center of their back. The males have a small red patch on the back of their heads. Overall, the Downy Woodpecker looks like a miniature version of a Hairy Woodpecker. Even though they are smaller, they are very similar in plumage pattern, sharing the same black and white coloration and body shape.
The easiest way to tell the two species apart is by size. When seen next to each other on a tree trunk, the size difference is obvious. But when seeing them individually, it can be harder to judge their size. The bill of the Downy Woodpecker is smaller and thinner, appropriate for a bird of its small stature. The Downy Woodpecker also has proportionately shorter wings and tail feathers compared to a Hairy Woodpecker. When perched, a Hairy Woodpecker has a larger head that extends farther down the back of the body. Subtle differences in plumage can also help identify them – the Downy Woodpecker generally has cleaner white markings, less streaking on the belly, and barred markings on its outer tail feathers.
Behavioral Differences
There are some subtle behavioral differences between Hairy and Downy woodpeckers as well. The Downy Woodpecker tends to be more active and acrobatic as it hops along branches and twigs, moving more quickly than the steadier Hairy. Downies can frequently be found in urban and suburban areas in parks and backyards, while Hairys prefer more continuous forest habitat. The Downy has a faster, shorter tapping sound compared to the slower, stronger hammering of a Hairy. The Downy’s voice is also higher pitched. Both species are solitary birds that may join mixed flocks after breeding season. Since they coexist in many of the same habitats, learning to recognize the size and behavioral differences is important for identification.
Habitat
Hairy and Downy woodpeckers overlap significantly in their habitat preferences. Both species inhabit open woodlands, particularly areas with larger dead and decaying trees that provide nesting spots and drumming surfaces. Parks, forests, swamps, backyard woodlots, and other wooded areas are prime habitats for both. However, Hairy Woodpeckers tend to prefer more extensive, mature forests while Downy Woodpeckers are able to thrive in smaller, fragmented woodlots. Hairy Woodpeckers are more dependent on large trees for nesting cavities so they are found in higher densities in older forests. Downy Woodpeckers are able to use a wider variety of nesting sites.
Range
Across most of North America from Alaska and Canada to the high mountains of Mexico, both the Hairy and Downy Woodpecker are resident species. The Downy has expanded its range farther north than the Hairy, inhabiting boreal forests of Canada and Alaska. The Hairy is absent from some coastal areas in the Pacific Northwest and northern New England where only the Downy occurs. Otherwise, their ranges overlap significantly, so these look-alike species can be found in the same regions. East of the Rocky Mountains, Hairy Woodpeckers are generally more common than in the west. Downies are more evenly distributed throughout their range. Backyard birders across most of the United States and southern Canada have a chance of spotting either species.
Pileated Woodpecker
The Pileated Woodpecker is another large woodpecker that could potentially be confused with the Hairy Woodpecker based on first impressions. However, when looking more closely, some clear physical differences stand out. The most obvious is that the Pileated Woodpecker is significantly larger, measuring 16-19 inches in length with a wingspan over 2 feet. Compared to the 9-12 inch long Hairy Woodpecker, the Pileated is one of the largest woodpeckers found in North America.
In addition to the size difference, the Pileated Woodpecker’s plumage is mostly black rather than barred black and white. The male has a bright red crest on its head. The white underparts have heavy black scalloping and its face is boldly marked with black lines. The white stripes on the sides do not extend as far down the body as on a Hairy. In flight, large white patches under the wings of the Pileated Woodpecker are visible. The powerful, heavy bill of a Pileated Woodpecker is also distinctive – larger and longer than a Hairy’s bill. Although some flight views may suggest a Hairy, close-up views reveal many markings inconsistent with that species. Overall, the Pileated’s much larger size, almost entirely black plumage, and very prominent bill make it stand out from the smaller, barred Hairy.
Northern Flicker
The Northern Flicker is a type of woodpecker that spends much time looking for food on the ground, behaving more like a upland gamebird at times. It has brown, tan, and black mottled plumage with black spots and bars on its front and white rump patches. Though it may fly and perch like a woodpecker, its overall appearance differs greatly from the black and white barred Hairy Woodpecker.
However, there is one subspecies of the Northern Flicker that could potentially cause confusion – the Yellow-shafted Flicker of the eastern United States. This type of Northern Flicker appears more similar to a Hairy Woodpecker while actively foraging on tree trunks. It has a gray-brown barred back, head, and breast while the underparts are beige with black spots. The similarities are only superficial though, as the flicker lacks a black-and-white striped face and has flesh-colored rather than black barred underparts. The yellow feathers under the tail and wings are also a giveaway. Fledgling flickers have even more marked differences, with spotted breasts and four distinct head stripes. Overall, while the angle or poor lighting may fool an observer at first, the plumage patterns do not align closely enough between the Yellow-shafted Flicker and Hairy Woodpecker to warrant extended confusion between these species.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Though not as similar in appearance as the Downy Woodpecker, the Red-bellied Woodpecker is another species that shares the same habitats as the Hairy Woodpecker across the eastern United States. Red-bellied Woodpeckers are relatively large, around 9-10 inches long with a wingspan of 16-18 inches. Adults have black-and-white barred backs and wings like a Hairy, along with red caps on the tops of their heads. However, the subtle name is misleading – the Red-bellied Woodpecker’s name comes from the washed out reddish tint on its belly that is very difficult to see. More obvious identification markings include the black back that extends down across the shoulders, pure white breast and belly, red stripe at the nape of the neck, and face pattern that connects across the bill. Since the barred black-and-white wings are visible when perched, a quick misidentification could happen at first glance. Careful attention to the breast, belly, neck, and face are needed, where the patterns diverge noticeably between these woodpeckers. Overall, the Red-bellied Woodpecker gives an impression of being more black on the front than the back, opposite of the Hairy.
Ivory-billed Woodpecker
The Ivory-billed Woodpecker looks very similar to the related, and more widespread, Pileated Woodpecker. Both are very large woodpeckers with black bodies and brilliant red crests on the tops of their heads. Historically, the Ivory-billed Woodpecker could be found from Texas to North Carolina, inhabiting dense river bottom forests and swampland. Tragically, this species is believed to have gone extinct in the mid-20th century due to extensive habitat loss across its range. The last confirmed sighting was in 1944. Since that time, there have been unconfirmed reports of sightings that are controversial and debated among ornithologists.
If the Ivory-billed Woodpecker still existed, differences in plumage from the Pileated Woodpecker could help distinguish them. The Ivory-billed has more extensive white markings on the wings and a narrow white stripe extending down the neck onto the back. The Pileated has solid black feathers in these areas instead. The Ivory-billed’s bill is longer and chalky white rather than dark gray. But since no definitive photos exist of living birds, these subtle differences cannot definitively separate the two look-alike species. Any sightings of large, crow-sized woodpeckers with log red crests in the southeastern U.S. receive scrutiny as potential evidence that the Ivory-billed may still persist in small numbers.
Hybrids
In rare instances, some confusion could be caused by hybrid specimens between the Hairy Woodpecker and other similar species. Hybrid woodpeckers may show an intermediate appearance between parental types in characteristics like size, plumage patterns, bill shape, and behavior. Reported hybrid combinations include Hairy x Downy, Hairy x Red-cockaded, and Northern Flicker x Hairy woodpeckers. However these hybrids are uncommon and occur reliably only in narrow overlap zones between closely related species. DNA analysis would be required to conclusively identify true hybrids. With careful observation, most woodpecker hybrids can be distinguished from pure Hairy Woodpeckers by small differences in size, proportions, or plumage markings.
Conclusion
While several woodpecker species share similar appearances to the classic black and white plumage of the Hairy Woodpecker, key differences in size, markings, behavior, bill shape, and range help identify look-alike species. In particular, the much smaller Downy Woodpecker requires close attention to detail as it appears nearly identical aside from being a miniature version. The Pileated, Northern Flicker, and Red-bellied woodpeckers have their own distinct plumage markings that don’t fully align with the Hairy’s patterns when directly compared side-by-side, though casual observers may still confuse them on occasion. Sadly, the Ivory-billed Woodpecker likely went extinct before conclusive photographic comparisons could be made between it and its close relative, the Pileated. Paying careful attention to field marks while gaining experience seeing these species in the wild will help any birder correctly sort out which woodpecker species has been sighted. With close observation and practice, even look-alike species become easier to distinguish consistently.