Hairy Woodpecker
Hello Steemians
Very similar to the downy woodpecker. The easiest
way to differentiate is the longer bill of the hairy,
almost as long as it's head. It is also a bit larger in size.
The hairy will feed mostly on tree trunks while the .....
downy prefers the branches.
The hairy woodpecker is found throughout most of
Canada and the U.S. and parts of Central America.
Their diet consists mostly of insects, but they are regulars..
at backyard feeders, eating suet and sunflower seeds.
Their numbers have actually increased over the last ....
50 years and are estimated to be about 9 million adults.
Hairy Woodpeckers vary in their color considerably, with the more eastern birds being a lot whiter and the more western birds being more beige in the light areas. I can be quite a dramatic difference. Here is an example from Western WA.
If I was in the west and saw it, I would of had to look it up to see what type of bird it was. Thanks .
I learned that Hairy's have that little coma on their shoulder/neck that points down toward their breast. You captured it well in your photo. Downy's do not have that. I can tell them apart if they are both at the feeder at the same time but otherwise I look for the comma.
Howdy sir karbon! more great shots of wonderful birds although I thought this one would look hairier!
Very informative