gthang
Ford Focus Fanatic: mmmmmm... 3.1415926535.....
It's very easy to ID male Downy/Hairy woodpeckers based on their red patch. If the red patch is divided in two, then the woodpecker in question is a Hairy Woodpecker. If not, the woodpecker is a Downy.
However, because females of both species lack the red patch, it may be difficult to tell the two apart.
Here's something to ponder:
Attached below, you'll find a shot of a female Downy Woodpecker with a continous white patch (where the male's red patch would be). This seems to appear in few individuals, but in others there is a black smudge where the black stripe would appear on a male Hairy (the male female hairy pattern would resemble a T with a cross in the vertical line; sort of like a Capital T with a lowercase t superimposed on the big T).
Also attached find another female Downy, but with the black stripe bisecting the white patch... lol! This is getting confusing! And this is just the female!
If you've noticed any head pattern differences between females of the two species, let me know.
However, because females of both species lack the red patch, it may be difficult to tell the two apart.
Here's something to ponder:
Attached below, you'll find a shot of a female Downy Woodpecker with a continous white patch (where the male's red patch would be). This seems to appear in few individuals, but in others there is a black smudge where the black stripe would appear on a male Hairy (the male female hairy pattern would resemble a T with a cross in the vertical line; sort of like a Capital T with a lowercase t superimposed on the big T).
Also attached find another female Downy, but with the black stripe bisecting the white patch... lol! This is getting confusing! And this is just the female!
If you've noticed any head pattern differences between females of the two species, let me know.
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