Downy or Hairy Woodpecker (1 Viewer)

mmdnje

Jose

• Aug 12, 2006

• #1

HI. Took this picture in Atlanta, Ga on 8/12/06. I always assume that the onle WP coming to my feeder were downys but I'm not sure about this one. What do you think? Thanks, Jose.

 

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KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Aug 12, 2006

• #2

Hmmmm..hard to tell at this angle. Where I don't see any dark bars on the outer tail feathers, they could just be folded in. Can't get a grip on the size of the bill from this angle either.

 

lou salomon

the birdonist

• Aug 12, 2006

• #3

exactly what said KC - bill and outer tail feathers hard too see but i'm leaning towards downy due to its compact look and even from this angle tiny looking bill.

 

mmdnje

Jose

• Aug 12, 2006

• #4

thank you. Jose

 

D

Dave B Smith

Well-known member

• Aug 12, 2006

• #5

I'd be afraid to rule out Hairy. The lack of the dark spots on outer tail feathers would make me consider Hairy. I googled more photos of the Downy looking for one with that position to see if the bill was even visible at that angle but didn't have any luck.

If the perch is within access for measuring, you could use that and determine the bird's size and that would be pretty definitive. Good luck in any case.

 

Gentoo

Guest

• Aug 12, 2006

• #6

I'm with everyone else as I'm not certain at this angle. It was taken in August when most birds, including woodpeckers are molting so this could explain the lack of spots on the tail. It's compact size has me thinking downy. The bill appears small but also seems like there is some part of it that cannot be seen at this angle.