Woodpecker ID - In New Jersey, USA (1 Viewer)

[ShlundoKyogre]

I was out birding when I saw a woodpecker that was either a Downy or Hairy. It seemed larger than the usual downy woodpeckers I get at by bird feeder and I believe it may be a hairy woodpecker. If so can someone please confirm the identification of this bird and tell me why it is a hairy woodpecker. Any replies are appreciated. Thank you all for your time.

Sincerely,
Shlundo

 

[nartreb]

I think the bill is large enough to call this a Hairy. In Downy, the yellowish fluff over the nostrils covers almost half the bill; in Hairy it's 1/3 or less.

 

[MelospizaMelodiaFan]

Yup, hairy. Bigger, longer bill.

 

[KC Foggin]

Hairy Woodpecker it is

 

[ShlundoKyogre]

Thank you all for the ID help, I was leaning towards a hairy as it seemed bigger than any downy woodpecker I'd seen and it has a little comma black mark on it's shoulder which the downy is lacking.

 

[Butty]

it seemed bigger than any downy woodpecker I'd seen

Judging the size of a lone bird is notoriously unreliable. Always look instead for structural features - in this case, long bill - which makes it hairy woodpecker (as stated above).

little comma black mark on it's shoulder

I doubt that's of significance, given individual variation.
(Please always give the date when requesting ID. Thanks.)

 

[ShlundoKyogre]

Thanks, for the feedback and ID of hairy woodpecker. It is great appreciated!
From,
Shlundo