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Two kids running in the snow. We all need nature—and nature needs you. Together, we can protect the wildlife and wild lands of Massachusetts for generations to come. Make a tax-deductible donation today.
An American Tree Sparrow is perched above the snow.

Commonly Confused Birds

Some birds are so distinctive that they're a breeze to identify. Others aren't so easy. Be sure to review these commonly confused birds found in Massachusetts so your sightings stay accurate. 

Hairy Woodpecker vs Downy Woodpecker

Hairy woodpeckers (9¼”) are much bigger than downy woodpeckers (6¾”), and their beaks are considerably longer in relation to their head. Also, downy woodpeckers typically show small, dark bars or spots on their white, outer tail feathers.

Hairy Woodpecker on Tree in Snow
Hairy Woodpecker © Cheryl Rose

Hairy Woodpecker

Size: About 9¼" long

Beak: Nearly the same length as the head

Downy Woodpecker on Branch

Downy Woodpecker

Size: About 6¾" long

Beak: Much shorter in relation to head size

Purple Finch vs House Finch

At most feeders, a house finch is likely to be more common than purple finch. House finches also tend to be noisier than purple finches, often chirping loudly when visiting feeders.

Purple Finch on branch
Purple Finch © Laurie Dearnley

Purple Finch (male)

Body: Chunky, bull-headed and short-tailed

Color: Raspberry red with little or no distinct belly streaking

House Finch on branch in rain
House Finch © Edmund Prescottano

House Finch (Male)

Body: Slim, small-headed and long-tailed

Color: Rose or brick red with streaks on belly

Chipping Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow, & House Sparrow

Sparrows are notoriously difficult to identify, but with a close look are actually quite distinctive. The chipping sparrow is actually quite unusual in Massachusetts in winter, so any sparrow with a rusty cap at a feeder is most likely an American tree sparrow. Abundantly common in urban areas, city sidewalks, and parks, house sparrow females are often seen with the distinctive, black-throated male.

A Chipping Sparrow sits on an evergreen branch at Drumlin Farm.
Chipping Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow (male & female)

Head: Rusty cap, white stripe over eye, black line through eye

Breast: Plain, no streaks or dark central spot

An American Tree Sparrow is perched above the snow.

American Tree Sparrow (male & female)

Head: Rusty cap, bill dark above and yellow below

Breast: Plain with a dark central spot

house sparrow on a tree
House Sparrow © Mary Boucher

House Sparrow (male)

Head: Gray crown and rusty on back of head; conspicuous black throat

Breast: Plain underparts without streaks; conspicuous single white bar on the wing

Sharp-Shinned Hawk & Cooper's Hawk

These two hawks regularly hunt birds visiting feeders in winter. In many areas, the larger Cooper’s hawk tends to be the more frequently observed species. Aside from its smaller size, the sharp-shinned hawk also lacks white tips on the ends of its tail feathers. In both species, the females are larger than the males.

Sharp-shinned Hawk adult on a birdfeeder © Cheryl Hempen
Sharp-shinned Hawk © Cheryl Hempen

Sharp-Shinned Hawk 

Size: 10" - 14” long

Body: Slim and bluish-gray on back; rusty underparts

Head: Tends to be smoothly rounded, no blackish on top

Tail: Tends to appear square-ended without prominent white tips to end of feathers

Cooper's Hawk adult perched in a tree by Margo Servison
Cooper's Hawk

Cooper's Hawk

Size: 14" - 20" long

Body: Robust and bluish-gray on back; rusty underparts

Head: Tends to be squarish (sometimes with crested appearance) and blackish on top

Tail: Tends to appear long and rounded at end with prominent white tips to end of feathers