• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Downy or Hairy Woodpecker? Nr Pittsburgh, PA (1 Viewer)

Chris707

New member
A pair of these have shown up in the past couple of days; can anyone ID them as Downy or Hairy? I'm *thinking* the latter...

thanks

Chris
 

Attachments

  • woodpecker1.jpg
    woodpecker1.jpg
    48.9 KB · Views: 78
  • woodpecker2.jpg
    woodpecker2.jpg
    70.3 KB · Views: 66
Hello there and a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum :t:

This looks to be a Downy. The beak in the photos don't show a very large beak.
 
Chris,

I agree with KC, the bill is too small, and judging by the size of the suet feeder the overall size of the bird points to Downy as well.

A good field mark to look for, especially when they are at your suet feeder, is dark bars or spots on the outer white tail feathers. Downy Woodpeckers have spots, Hairy Woodpeckers do not. They may not always be visible, but if they are there, you have a definite Downy.

If you are not sure which one it is, it is usually a Downy. If it is a Hairy it is usually obvious.

Mike
 
The one on the fence rail looks like it may be a juvenile, although it is lacking the typical reddish patch at the front of the crown that most juveniles have. At any rate, I agree they are both downy woodpeckers.

Scott
 
Warning! This thread is more than 15 years ago old.
It's likely that no further discussion is required, in which case we recommend starting a new thread. If however you feel your response is required you can still do so.

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top