Hairy or Downey Woodpecker???? Hi All, I could use some help on which Woodpecker this is.... I think it is the Hairy Woodpecker but not sure. This one finally found our peanuts in the...

happy sailor Loc: Ontario, Canada

Hi All, I could use some help on which Woodpecker this is....

I think it is the Hairy Woodpecker but not sure. This one finally found our peanuts in the feeder and the bark butter on the tree.

The photos are heavily cropped, taken from inside the kitchen (it is very cold again today!!!!!!)

Thanks for your help.

at the peanut feeder

(Download)

at the bark butter

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

happy sailor wrote:

Hi All, I could use some help on which Woodpecker this is....

I think it is the Hairy Woodpecker but not sure. This one finally found our peanuts in the feeder and the bark butter on the tree.

The photos are heavily cropped, taken from inside the kitchen (it is very cold again today!!!!!!)

Thanks for your help.

What is bark butter? I have never heard of it.

Dennis

happy sailor Loc: Ontario, Canada

dennis2146 wrote:

What is bark butter? I have never heard of it.

Dennis

Hi Dennis

It is a product by jimsbirdacious.com that is a mixture of suets, peanuts corn and soy oil, the birds seem to love it. I got it at Birds Unlimited.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

happy sailor wrote:

Hi All, I could use some help on which Woodpecker this is....

I think it is the Hairy Woodpecker but not sure. This one finally found our peanuts in the feeder and the bark butter on the tree.

The photos are heavily cropped, taken from inside the kitchen (it is very cold again today!!!!!!)

Thanks for your help.

By its size and fairly large bill, I'd say you've got a Hairy Woodpecker there. A Downy is smaller, about the size of a sparrow.

happy sailor Loc: Ontario, Canada

Bob Yankle wrote:

By its size and fairly large bill, I'd say you've got a Hairy Woodpecker there. A Downy is smaller, about the size of a sparrow.

Thanks Bob, I have never been sure of which one they are. I thought the beak looked a little longer than the pictures of the Downey I've seen

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

happy sailor wrote:

Hi Dennis

It is a product by jimsbirdacious.com that is a mixture of suets, peanuts corn and soy oil, the birds seem to love it. I got it at Birds Unlimited.

Thank you.

Dennis

dragonfist Loc: Stafford, N.Y.

I am almost positive it is a downy woodpecker. Downies are about the size of sparrows and hairy woodpeckers about the size of a robin. I am judging by his size next to the feeder and figuring the spaces in the feeder at 1/2" increments. Hairy woodpeckers also have a longer beak than a downie and are woods dwellers for the most part. Hope things are well on your side of Lake Ontario. It is a bit gusty on this side today. Just saw Bob's reply and now probably have you really wondering.

Joe F.N. Loc: Oshawa, Ontario

This is definitely a Hairy Woodpecker (male).You're right about the length of the bill. Downy bill is much shorter.
A sure way to tell is by looking at the white edge feathers of the tail. Downy has black spots on it. A Hairy does not.
It's not always possible to tell size unless there is a point of reference. You've done well with the ID here.

A. J. Loc: PA. USA

happy sailor wrote:

Hi All, I could use some help on which Woodpecker this is....

I think it is the Hairy Woodpecker but not sure. This one finally found our peanuts in the feeder and the bark butter on the tree.

The photos are heavily cropped, taken from inside the kitchen (it is very cold again today!!!!!!)

Thanks for your help.

In the second pic. it looks like a Hairy to me too, no black tail spots on the edge of the tail as a Downy would have.

:D

Fergus Loc: Westfield,IN

Bob Yankle wrote:

By its size and fairly large bill, I'd say you've got a Hairy Woodpecker there. A Downy is smaller, about the size of a sparrow.

I agree with Bob.