The 25 MOST Common Birds in Canada! (2022)

#3. Hairy Woodpecker
Appearance-wise, Hairy Woodpeckers have striped heads and an erect, straight-backed posture while on trees.
Their bodies are black and white overall with a long, chisel-like bill.
Male birds can be identified by a red patch at the back of their heads, which females lack.Hairy Woodpeckers are common birds in Canada in mature forests, suburban backyards, urban parks, swamps, orchards, and even cemeteries. Honestly, they can be found anywhere where large trees are abundant.

Size:
Hairy’s are larger and measure 9 – 11 inches (23 – 28 cm) long, which is about the same size as an American Robin. A Downy is smaller and only measures 6 – 7 inches (15-18 cm) in length, which is slightly bigger than a House Sparrow.
Bill:
Looking at the size of their bills in relation to their head is my FAVORITE way to tell these woodpeckers apart. Downys have a tiny bill, which measures a bit less than half the length of their head, while Hairys have a bill that is almost the same size as their head.
Outer tail feathers:
If all else fails, then try to get a good look at their outer tail feathers. Hairys will be completely white, while Downys are spotted.