We can ID this woodpecker as a Hairy Woodpecker, rather than the very similar Downy Woodpecker mainly by its relatively large size. We were able to get within a few feet of it and could easily determine it was in the 9-10" range (Hairy Woodpecker), rather than the 6-7" range (Downy Woodpecker). Other field marks which indicate a Hairy Woodpecker are:
- Long, chisel like bill which is almost the size of the head. The Downy Woodpecker's bill is short, dainty and about 1/3 the size of the head.
- The red patch of this male is split in two. This occurs on the Hairy Woodpecker, but not the Downy Woodpecker.
The Hairy Woodpecker is a new species to our Life List, which now stands at 300.
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