Sparrows and woodpeckers
Frances Legault offers a guide on identifying the many sparrows and woodpeckers that can be found in our area
This column is a special feature to help you identify different species of Sparrows and Woodpeckers in and around the neighbourhood.
Sparrows
There are twenty types of sparrows in Ontario, so it can be a challenge to identify each kind.
It is a misconception that they all look the same.
The head is the best way to identify and differentiate between the different birds. Let’s start with three local ones.
Song Sparrows have a brown crown with a gray stripe down the middle and are known for their joyful song.
Not afraid of human habitation, Song Sparrows often nest close to houses.
Chipping Sparrows can be identified by their reddish cap and light grey face. These Chipping Sparrows were posing in the latticework of a backyard fence.
The beautiful Fox Sparrow is easy to distinguish with its reddish-brown feathers and a mix of brown and gray on the head. Fox Sparrows feed on the ground, kicking away leaf litter in search of insects and seeds.
Woodpeckers
No matter where you live in Ontario, you can see a variety of Woodpeckers. Most people are surprised at the large number of species that can be found near them. Here are four species common in our area.
Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers
Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers are common in the neighbourhood but not easy to distinguish unless they happen to be side by side. The main differences are that the Downy Woodpeckers are smaller, about the size of a sparrow, with a short bill, whereas the Hairy Woodpeckers are larger, about the size of a robin, with a longer bill.
The inner tail feathers are spotted on Downy Woodpeckers, but unmarked on Hairy Woodpeckers. Males in both species have a red patch but the male Hairy’s red patch is often split in two, while the Downy’s is not.
Lastly, the Downy Woodpecker is much more abundant than the Hairy, especially in suburbia.
Pileated Woodpecker
The pileated woodpecker is a year-round resident in the neighbourhood. An insectivore, it is the largest of the woodpecker species in North America.
Did you know that woodpeckers drill a new nesting hole each year? Their former holes then become homes for other birds and squirrels, which supports biodiversity.
Males have a bright red plumage that extends from their bills to the back of their necks, while females only have red on the back of their heads. Adults can be up to 19 inches long and have a wingspan of 30 inches. For reference, this is about the size of a crow.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
The Red-bellied Woodpecker is primarily a bird of the southeast U.S., but in recent years, it has been expanding its range to the north and can remain throughout the winter. Omnivorous and adaptable, this woodpecker has adjusted to life in suburbs and city parks.
Despite the name, the red on the belly is not often visible. Like most Woodpeckers during nesting time, the male begins excavating several holes, with the female selects which one is completed and used.
Photo by Jerzy Komorowski
References
Please submit your bird photos anytime to flegault52@gmail.com.
Editor’s note: In Canadian Press style, and most other newspaper styles, bird names aren’t capitalized. However, in keeping with standard ornithological practice, English bird names are capitalized in this column.