Any way to tell if this is a downy or a hairy woodpecker? (United States) (1 Viewer)

[JoeGBirder]

I got this picture a few weeks ago. I'm pretty sure it's a Downy Woodpecker because I get them more but I can't remember the size of the bird from when I took the picture.

 

[Butty]

Could you give the location, please? Thanks.
Male hairy woodpecker. Long bill.

 

[MelospizaMelodiaFan]

Hairy is also larger than the downy, which is the size of a bluebird.

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

Male hairy woodpecker. Long bill.

Agreed

 

[JoeGBirder]

Could you give the location, please? Thanks.
Male hairy woodpecker. Long bill.

Schenectady County, New York State

 

[JoeGBirder]

Thank all of you for the help.

 

[Earnest lad]

Thank all of you for the help.

The sides of the tails being unspotted (pure white) is a good feature I believe

 

[nartreb]

The sides of the tails being unspotted (pure white) is a good feature I believe

Not that great. Can be surprisingly hard to differentiate in both field and photograph, depending how much of the relevant feather is visible, whether it's faded or dirty, or how clear a look you get. But yes, looks good here.

Another helpful hint you can see in the photo is the black stripe cleaving the red crown (not diagnostic, but highly suggestive):

Another clue for identifying Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers – Sibley Guides

www.sibleyguides.com

The photo also shows the head/neck pattern of Hairy:

A new clue for identifying Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers – Sibley Guides

www.sibleyguides.com

(Mostly reliable, but subject to vagaries of feather-fluffing and neck angle)

But you don't need any of those in this photo. Bill length is diagnostic.

 

[JoeGBirder]

Not that great. Can be surprisingly hard to differentiate in both field and photograph, depending how much of the relevant feather is visible, whether it's faded or dirty, or how clear a look you get. But yes, looks good here.

Another helpful hint you can see in the photo is the black stripe cleaving the red crown (not diagnostic, but highly suggestive):

Another clue for identifying Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers – Sibley Guides

www.sibleyguides.com

The photo also shows the head/neck pattern of Hairy:

A new clue for identifying Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers – Sibley Guides

www.sibleyguides.com

(Mostly reliable, but subject to vagaries of feather-fluffing and neck angle)

But you don't need any of those in this photo. Bill length is diagnostic.

Thank you! Will hopefully remember this in the future.