Woodpeckers are known for their distinctive pecking behavior, an adaptation for finding food and creating nests. Many species display striking black and white plumage. Understanding subtle differences in their appearance, sounds, and preferred environments helps in distinguishing these birds.
Identifying Common Species
Three common black and white woodpeckers in North America are the Downy, Hairy, and Pileated Woodpeckers. The Downy Woodpecker is the smallest, typically around 6.5 inches long. It has a patterned black and white appearance, often with a white belly and a broad white stripe down its back.
The Hairy Woodpecker is slightly larger, measuring 9 to 10 inches long, and shares a very similar black and white pattern with the Downy. Both species have black wings checkered with white spots and a white patch running down the center of their black backs. The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest, ranging from 16 to 19 inches, roughly the size of a crow. This impressive bird is primarily black with prominent white stripes on its face and neck, and is easily recognized by its flaming red crest.
Key Distinguishing Features
Distinguishing Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers relies on subtle features, as their plumage is remarkably similar. The Downy is considerably smaller than the Hairy Woodpecker. The Downy has a small, stubby bill shorter than its head, while the Hairy possesses a longer, more robust bill nearly as long as its head. Additionally, the Downy has black spots or bars on its white outer tail feathers, whereas the Hairy’s outer tail feathers are plain white.
The Pileated Woodpecker is distinctive due to its large size and bold markings, with a prominent red crest covering much of its head. Males have a red stripe extending from the bill to the throat. Both sexes display broad white stripes from above the eye and down the side of the neck. In flight, the Pileated Woodpecker reveals white patches on the underside of its wings, contrasting with its dark body. The Black-backed Woodpecker has an entirely black back, lacking the white patch seen in Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers.
Where They Live and What They Sound Like
Woodpecker vocalizations and drumming patterns provide additional clues for identification. The Downy Woodpecker is a frequent visitor to suburban yards, parks, and open woodlands. Its calls include a soft “pik” note and a high-pitched, descending whinny. Its drumming is a rapid, even-paced roll.
Hairy Woodpeckers inhabit mature forests and larger woodlots, though they can also be found in well-wooded suburban areas. Their calls are a sharp “peek,” louder and more emphatic than the Downy’s, and a whinny that does not descend in pitch. The Hairy Woodpecker’s drumming is faster and more powerful than the Downy’s, often described as a rapid, machine-gun-like burst of sound.
The Pileated Woodpecker prefers dense, mature forests with large, standing dead trees and fallen logs. Its vocalizations include a loud, distinctive laughing call, a series of “kuk-kuk-kuk” notes. Its drumming is deep and powerful, a slower, rolling pattern that often fades towards the end, distinguishing it from the rapid, even drumming of smaller species.