Hairy Woodpeckers Made Easy

Here in the Piedmont, in the field, it is a challenge to conclusively differentiate Downy from Hairy Woodpeckers. At any distance they appear very much alike and it comes down to the hopeful look at bill length to ice the identification. Happily for the backyard observer, it's a whole different ballgame. On those infrequent occasions when a Hairy comes to visit us, we're blessed with a much easier identification. Our suet baskets, the preferred destination for both species, make perfect yardsticks. Downies are conspicuously smaller than a suet basket, Hairys look a little larger. And at the range of our feeders, it is hard to miss a look at the bill length or the other distinctive field mark---the white back of a Hairy. And of course BirdCam provides the images that make possible close study of each species. The only real trick is being around at those magic moments when Hairys come by.