Was trying to keep my eye on a bunch of smaller birds coming in and out of the trees. This is the best of the lot, but I'm not sure where to begin to ID. There were a couple of small woodpeckers nearby. Northeastern PA shot this a.m. Thanks!!
Posted by Richard Ditch on July 31, 2012 at 11:47 AM
Either a Downy or a Hairy Woodpecker - both common species in that area. Overall size is the major differencve. The Hairy also has a more prominent bill (a bit hard to judge in this image). There's also a difference in the blakc spots along the outer tail feathers - check this out in a decent field guide.
Posted by Nick Baldwin on July 31, 2012 at 1:45 PM
I have to agree with Richard. hard to tell unless you have something to give size, and can see those indicators he mentioned better .
I will try to get back to you later......with a couple of comparison shots.........meanwhile check Peterson/Sibley.
Or maybe climb tree and measure how far from tail to peak and that will tell you for sure............LOL
Interesting. I had a very similar looking bird on our property the last couple of nights. It was drumming away at the stalks of yarrow plants and would extract maggots or larvae. What threw me off was a faint red top of the head crown (as your bird seems to have). Both the male Hairy and the male Downy have a solid red hind crown and the top of the head is black. Research revealed that both juveniles have a faint top of the head red crown. The previous posts give the fieldmarks of Downy vs. Hairy. FWIW, I identified the bird in our yard as a juvenile Downy WP on account of bill length (compared to head) and black spots on the outer tail feathers. I'm hoping for more sightings to confirm this. I did not feel confident to use size given that it was a juvenile and that I have no personal field experience with the juveniles.
I agree with Myer. The small bill in relation to the head, the white spots on the wings and the size in relation to the leaves all suggest a Downy Woodpecker. The location of the red on the head means it is a juvenile.
Posted by Bill Maile on August 1, 2012 at 11:23 AM
Thanks everyone!!! Yeah, I've looked at things and a couple of other photos. Would agree with the Downy and probably juvie, though I'm not anywhere close to a bird expert.
And thanks for the suggestion Nick. I went and tried climbing the tree and fell. There goes my camera!!! And my leg.
Discussion
7 repliesI will try to get back to you later......with a couple of comparison shots.........meanwhile check Peterson/Sibley.
Or maybe climb tree and measure how far from tail to peak and that will tell you for sure............LOL
And thanks for the suggestion Nick. I went and tried climbing the tree and fell. There goes my camera!!! And my leg.