Woodpecker, hairy (Oct. 2011, Maryland)? (1 Viewer)

[howiewu]

Hi,

I think these are hairy rather than downy woodpeckers because of their long(ish) bills. What do you think?

Both were taken on October 23, 2011 in Maryland (near Washington D.C.).

TIA,
Howard

 

[howiewu]

Or maybe the second one is a downy, but the first one seems to be a hairy to me.

 

[KC Foggin]

I'd say Hairy for the first and Downy for the second

 

[fugl]

I'd say the same. Note the barred outer tail feathers of the 2nd bird, a good (though not infallible) Downy field mark.

 

[The Falcon]

Both are Downy Woodpeckers.

 

[Microtus]

Both are Downy Woodpeckers.

I tend to agree.

 

[fugl]

I tend to agree.

Yeah, on consideration, me too.

 

[howiewu]

I think that the downy's bill is much shorter than that of the first one, here're a couple of shots I took of downys. I think that compared with these, the first one's bill is rather stout.

Of course, I understand sometimes it is not cut-and-dry when you look at pictures.

 

[grebefeet9]

the first bird is a hairy woodpecker.

 

[Dan_ZCM]

I'd vote hairy on the first photo

 

[Microtus]

Looking at the new photos, both birds are Downy Woodpeckers. This is based on the shape of the black band behind the eye.
http://www.sibleyguides.com/2011/02/a-new-clue-for-identifying-downy-and-hairy-woodpeckers/

 

[howiewu]

Here's another downy (female) for comparison.

Anyways, thanks for all the replies; regardless it's been a good learning experience for me!

 

[Microtus]

the first bird is a hairy woodpecker.

After reviewing the David Sibley piece I just linked to, I see that the first bird is indeed a Hairy Woodpecker.

 

[Tiraya]

Angle is very misleading here, but I don't believe any angle can make a Downy's bill that large (first photo. However the long bill can appear shorter when turned a little towards us (1st photo, 2nd post)

1. Hairy
2. Downy

 

[howiewu]

After reviewing the David Sibley piece I just linked to, I see that the first bird is indeed a Hairy Woodpecker.

Thanks for the link, it is very helpful!

 

[sungrebe]

Going with Hairy for the first, Downy for the second; Jizz just looks right for Hairy in #1