Barn Swallow vs Downy Woodpecker

Hirundo rustica ile kıyaslandığında Picoides pubescens

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Özellik Barn Swallow Downy Woodpecker
Bilimsel Ad Hirundo rustica Picoides pubescens
Takım Passeriformes Piciformes
Familya Hirundinidae Picidae
Koruma Durumu Least Concern Least Concern
Uzunluk 19,0 cm (7.5 in) 16,0 cm (6.3 in)
Kanat Açıklığı 33,0 cm (13.0 in) 28,0 cm (11.0 in)
Ağırlık 19,0 g (0.67 oz) 27,0 g (0.95 oz)
Beslenme Aerial insects caught in continuous agile flight, including flies, beetles, moths, and aphids. Drinks by … Insects and larvae extracted from bark, supplemented with seeds, berries, and suet at feeders. Often …
Kuluçka Büyüklüğü 2-7 --
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Barn Swallow 19,0 cm
Downy Woodpecker 16,0 cm
Kanat Açıklığı
Barn Swallow 33,0 cm
Downy Woodpecker 28,0 cm
Ağırlık
Barn Swallow 19,0 g
Downy Woodpecker 27,0 g
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Habitat Comparison

Ortak Yaşam Alanları

Hiçbiri

Barn Swallow only

Downy Woodpecker only

Hiçbiri

Barn Swallow

Open farmland, meadows, and areas near water. Nests almost exclusively in human-made structures such as barns, bridges, and eaves.

Downy Woodpecker

Deciduous and mixed forests, orchards, parks, and suburban areas. The most common woodpecker at feeders in North America.

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Song & Call Comparison

Barn Swallow

Şarkı

A rapid, twittering song: a long stream of 'vit-vit-vit' and rolling chirps. Also gives a sharp 'vit' flight call. Song can last many minutes without pause. Musical and liquid.

Downy Woodpecker

Şarkı

A sharp 'pik' or 'peek' contact call. Drums on resonant branches with a rapid, light tattoo — softer than larger woodpeckers. Also gives a high descending whinny 'keeer-keeer'.

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Geographic Range & Migration

Barn Swallow

Breeds across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Winters in South America, Africa, and South Asia.

Downy Woodpecker

North America from Alaska and Canada south through the United States, excluding the arid Southwest.

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Koruma Durumu

Least Concern

Barn Swallow

Least Concern

Downy Woodpecker

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How to Tell Them Apart

Barn Swallow

Tuy

Metallic blue-black upperparts, rufous forehead and throat, and pale buff to rufous underparts. Deeply forked tail with elongated outer streamers.

Gaga

Short, wide, flat black bill adapted for catching insects in flight

Downy Woodpecker

Tuy

Black and white plumage with a broad white stripe down the back. Black wings with white spots. Males have a small red patch on the nape.

Gaga

Short, chisel-shaped, dark bill — noticeably shorter than the similar hairy woodpecker

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About These Birds

Barn Swallow

The barn swallow is the most widespread swallow species in the world and has one of the longest migrations of any passerine. Its arrival signals spring across the Northern Hemisphere, inspiring cultural references from ancient Greece to modern poetry. Barn swallows have become almost entirely dependent on human structures for nesting.

Downy Woodpecker

The downy woodpecker is the smallest and most widespread woodpecker in North America. Its small size allows it to forage on thin branches and weed stems that larger woodpeckers cannot access. Downies often join mixed-species flocks in winter, benefiting from the extra vigilance of multiple species watching for predators.

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