Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers are part of the family Picidae, a group of near-passerine birds that also consist of piculets, wrynecks, and sapsuckers. Members of this family are found worldwide, except for Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Madagascar, and the extreme polar regions. Most species live in forests or woodland habitats, although a few species are known that live in treeless areas, such as rocky hillsides and deserts, and the Gila woodpecker specialises in exploiting cacti.

Downy Woodpecker
The downy is the smallest (6 ¾ inches long), most common, and most widespread woodpecker. Its black-and-white plumage is similar to that of the larger (9 ¼ inches long) hairy woodpecker. In both species, the males have a red patch at the back of the head. Downy woodpeckers have an all-white breast and belly and a white stripe down the middle of the back. The wings and tail are black with spots of white.
Downy Woodpecker
The downy is the smallest (6 ¾ inches long), most common, and most widespread woodpecker. Its black-and-white plumage is similar to that of the larger (9 ¼ inches long) hairy woodpecker. In both species, the males have a red patch at the back of the head. Downy woodpeckers have an all-white breast and belly and a white stripe down the middle of the back. The wings and tail are black with spots of white.
Downy Woodpecker
The downy is the smallest (6 ¾ inches long), most common, and most widespread woodpecker. Its black-and-white plumage is similar to that of the larger (9 ¼ inches long) hairy woodpecker. In both species, the males have a red patch at the back of the head. Downy woodpeckers have an all-white breast and belly and a white stripe down the middle of the back. The wings and tail are black with spots of white.
Hairy Woodpecker
A medium-sized woodpecker with (in most areas) a white back, white-spotted black wings (spotting is reduced in Rocky Mountains), a relatively large bill, white underparts, and a black head with two large white bars on each side; tail is black centrally, white on the sides; plumage that is white in most of the range is pale gray-brown in the Pacific Northwest; adult males have a red bar across the back of the head, young males have an orange or red-streaked crown; juveniles (particularly in Maritime Provinces) have some dark barring on the bank and flanks; average length 24 cm.

Hairy Woodpecker
The Hairy Woodpecker is very similar to the Downy in appearance. A white back and white underparts and black wings with white spots. And like the Downy, males have the same red on the back nape. While the females have no red. The difference is their size. The Hairy is about 2 inches longer. Measuring about 8 1/2 to 10 inches in length. The birds bill is almost as long as the head whereas, the Downy's bill is only about half as long as its head. The upperparts are black and white; face with black and white stripes and the underparts are pure white. The male has a red patch at the nape whereas the female has no red patch. These birds can be found in mature forest, orchards, and parks. One of the most widespread of North American birds.